Bispecific egfr/igfir binding molecules

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to bispecific molecules comprising an EGFR binding domain and a distinct IGFIR binding domain for use in diagnostic, research and therapeutic applications. The invention further relates to cells comprising such proteins, polynucleotide encoding such proteins or fragments thereof, and vectors comprising the polynucleotides encoding the innovative proteins. Exemplary bispecific molecules include antibody-like protein dimers based on the tenth fibronectin type III domain.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/664,290, filed Mar. 20, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,771,411), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/692,555, filed Dec. 3, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,017,655), which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/625,217, filed Nov. 24, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,343,501), which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/200,164, filed Nov. 24, 2008; 61/200,282, filed Nov. 26, 2008; 61/212,966, filed Apr. 17, 2009; 61/178,279, filed May 14, 2009; and 61/227,330, filed Jul. 21, 2009. The contents of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Aug. 23, 2017, is named MXI_522DV2CN_Sequence_Listing.txt and is 511,744 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to EGFR binding domains and bispecific molecules comprising an EGFR binding domain and a distinct IGFIR binding domain for use in diagnostic, research and therapeutic applications. The invention further relates to cells comprising such proteins, polynucleotide encoding such proteins or fragments thereof, and vectors comprising the polynucleotides encoding the innovative proteins. Exemplary EGFR binding domains and bispecific molecules include antibody-like protein dimers based on the tenth fibronectin type III domain.

INTRODUCTION

Activation of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling is central to cancer development (see e.g., Grimberg A. Cancer Biol Ther. 2003 2(6):630-5 and Mendelsohn J. J Clin Oncol. 2003 21(14):2787-99). Receptor tyrosine kinases have a conserved domain structure including an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. The extracellular domain can bind to a ligand, such as to a polypeptide growth factor or to a cell membrane-associated molecule. Typically, either ligand binding or ligand binding induced dimerization of receptor tyrosine kinases activates the intracellular catalytic tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor and subsequent signal transduction.

Examples of receptor tyrosine kinases include, but are not limited to ERBB receptors (e.g., EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3, ERBB4), erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (EPH) receptors, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors (e.g., FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FGFR4, FGFR5), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors (e.g., PDGFR-A, PDGFR-B), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (e.g., VEGFR1/FLT1, VEGFR2/FLK1, VEGF3), tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and EGF-like domains (TIE) receptors, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors (e.g., INS-R, IGFIR, IR-R), Discoidin Domain (DD) receptors, receptor for c-Met (MET), recepteur d'origine nantais (RON); also known as macrophage stimulating 1 receptor, Flt3 fins-related tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3), colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) receptor, adhesion related kinase receptor (e.g., Axl), receptor for c-kit (KIT) and insulin receptor related (IRR) receptors.

Inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinases has emerged as an effective treatment strategy for certain human malignancies (for a review see Roussidis A E, In Vivo. 2002 16(6):459-69). While targeted monotherapy may initially be effective in treating cancer, therapeutic resistance often follows, possibly as a result of upregulation of other signaling cascades (see e.g., Nahta R et al., Breast Cancer Res. 2006 8(6):215 and Horn L et al., Clin Lung Cancer. 2007 8:S68-73). Accordingly, there exists a need for developing improved cancer therapeutics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the application provides EGFR binding tenth fibronectin type III domains (¹⁰Fn3) having novel sequences. EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 having a consensus sequence are also provided. Such EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 may be monomeric or may be included as part of a fusion protein.

In another aspect, the application provides bispecific molecules that bind EGFR and IGFIR, referred to herein as “E/I binders”. E/I binders encompassed by the invention include bispecific antibodies and dimers of ligand binding scaffold proteins (e.g., tendamistat, affibody, fibronectin type III domain, anticalin, tetranectin, and ankyrin). When constructed as a single polypeptide chain, the E/I binders may be constructed in any orientation, e.g., from N-terminus to C-terminus either in the E-I arrangement or the I-E arrangement.

In one aspect, antibody-like protein dimers are provided comprising an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 covalently or non-covalently linked to an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3. The ¹⁰Fn3 bind their target (EGFR or IGFIR) with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM. Each of the individual ¹⁰Fn3 independently has an amino acid sequence at least 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32, wherein n is an integer from 1-20, o is an integer from 1-20, and p is an integer from 1-40. In some embodiments, n is an integer from 8-12, o is an integer from 4-8, and p is an integer from 4-28. In some embodiments, n is 10, o is 6, and p is 12.

In some embodiments, the antibody-like protein dimers comprise IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 covalently linked to EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 via a polypeptide linker or a polyethylene glycol moiety. In some embodiments, the antibody-like protein dimer comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 20-31, 53-58, 87-92, 98-105, 118-133, 149-154, 164-169, 179-184, 192-197, 205-210 and 211-216.

In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence having any one of SEQ ID NOs: 20-31, 53-58, 87-92, 98-105, 118-133, 149-154, 164-169, 179-184, 192-197, 205-210 and 211-216, wherein (i) the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and/or the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a ¹⁰Fn3 scaffold having from has anywhere from 0 to 20, from 0 to 15, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions relative to the corresponding scaffold amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (ii) the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has anywhere from 0 to 15, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions relative to the corresponding loop sequences of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 52, 66-68, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 182, 185-187, 198-200, or 219-327 and/or the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has anywhere from 0 to 15, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions relative to the corresponding loop sequences of SEQ ID NO: 3.

In one aspect, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions are provided comprising an antibody-like protein dimer as described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the composition is essentially pyrogen free.

In a further aspect, methods for treating hyperproliferative disorders, such as cancer, in a subject are provided comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising an antibody-like protein dimer as described herein.

In another aspect, the application provides a nucleic acid encoding an antibody-like protein dimer as described herein. Also provided is a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding an antibody-like dimer as described herein. Suitable vectors include, for example, expression vectors. Also provided are host cells comprising a nucleic, vector, or expression vector, comprising a nucleic acid encoding an antibody-like protein dimer as described herein. Suitable host cells include prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells. Exemplary prokaryotic cells are bacterial cells, such as E. coli. Exemplary eukaryotic cells are mammalian cells, such as CHO cells. Also provided are methods for producing an antibody-like protein dimer as described herein, comprising culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic, vector, or expression vector, comprising a nucleic acid encoding the antibody-like protein dimer and recovering the expressed antibody-like protein dimer from the culture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. SDS-PAGE Analysis of I1-GS10-E2. Samples from the lysis of HMS174(DE3) bacterial cell pellet from which I1-GS10-E2 was expressed and purified by a HisTrap chromatography column were run on a 4-12% NuPAGE minigel and stained by Sypro-Orange and visualized by STORM imager. Mark 12 molecular weight standards (Lane 1); Lysate-soluble (Lane 2); Lysate-insoluble (Lane 3); HisTrap load (Lane 4); HisTrap non-bound (Lane 5); Pooled HisTrap Eluate (Lane 6); Dialyzed into 50 mM NaOAc, 150 mM NaCl, pH 4.5 (Lane 7); Dialyzed into PBS (Lane 8); Dialyzed into Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.5 (Lane 9).

FIG. 2A. SEC Analysis of midscale purified I1-GS10-E2. 22 μg of HisTrap purified I1-GS10-E2 dialyzed into PBS, pH 7.4 was loaded onto a Superdex 200 10/30 SEC Column (GE Healthcare) with a mobile phase of 100 mM NaPO₄, 100 mM NaSO₄, 150 mM NaCl, pH 6.8 and measured using A280. I1-GS10-E2 eluted predominantly as a single monomeric species at a molecular weight range of approximately 24.6 kDa vs. globular Gel Filtration standards (BioRad). FIG. 2B. SEC analysis of E2-GS10-I1.

FIG. 3A. Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) of midscale purified I1-GS10-E2 in PBS was performed to determine the T_(m). A 1 mg/mL solution of I1-GS10-E2 was scanned from 5° C. to 95° C. at a rate of 1 degree per minute under 3 atm pressure. The data was analyzed versus a control run of the PBS buffer. FIG. 3B. DSC of E2-GS10-I1.

FIG. 4. Inhibition of IGFR activity in H292 cells. Cells were stimulated with 100 ng/mL of IGF-1 and 100 ng/mL of EGF and treated with either  I1, □ E1, or Δ E1-GS10-I1 HTPP preparations. Phosphorylation of IGFIR on tyrosine 1131 was determined by ELISA.

FIG. 5. Inhibition of EGFR activity in H292 cells. Cells were stimulated with 100 ng/mL of IGF-1 and 100 ng/mL of EGF and treated with either  I1, □ E1, or Δ E1-GS10-I1 HTPP preparations. Phosphorylation of EGFR on tyrosine 1068 was determined by ELISA.

FIG. 6. Inhibition of AKT phosphorylation in H292 cells. Cells were stimulated with 100 ng/mL of IGF-1 and 100 ng/mL of EGF and treated with either  I1, □ E1, or Δ E1-GS10-I1 HTPP preparations. Phosphorylation of AKT on serine 473 was determined by ELISA.

FIG. 7. Inhibition of RH41 cell proliferation. Cells were treated with either  I1, □ E1, or Δ E1-GS10-I1 HTPP preparations and percent inhibition of proliferation was determined.

FIG. 8. Inhibition of H292 cell proliferation. Cells were treated with either  I1, □ E1, or Δ E1-GS10-I1 HTPP preparations and percent inhibition of proliferation was determined.

FIG. 9. Summarizes IC50 values in cell based functional assays for isolated EGFR mononectins, E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders with serine at the C-terminal position without PEG added and E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders with cysteine at the C-terminal position conjugated to a 40 kDa branched PEG. Representative data is shown.

FIG. 10. Immunoblot analysis of PEGylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder with E2 in the N-terminal and C-terminal positions. Despite both constructs demonstrating comparable activity in the H292 cell assay for inhibiting EGFR, the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder with E2 at the C-terminal position did not degrade EGFR while the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder with E2 at the N-terminal position did. Both constructs show very weak to no IGFR degradation in this cell line. β-actin was included to demonstrate equal loading across all lanes. The phosphorylation state of EGFR, ERK and Shc was also examined.

FIG. 11. Inhibition of EGF-stimulated EGFR phosphorylation in H292 cells. Both constructs demonstrated comparable activity in the H292 cell assay for inhibiting EGFR. E2-GS10-I1 (with PEG) (∘), I1-GS10-E2 (with PEG) (□), panitumumab (----).

FIGS. 12A and 12B. Results of tumor xenograft studies. FIG. 12A: Preclinical anti-tumor activity in the H292 human tumor xenograft model. Mean tumor sizes calculated from groups of 8 mice is shown in mg for control animals (▪), E3-GS10-I1 (w/ PEG) dosed at 100 mg/kg (∘), E2-GS10-I1 (with PEG) dosed at 100 mg/kg (□), panitumumab dosed at 1 mg/mouse (Δ) or 0.1 mg/mouse (∇). The letter a on the x-axis indicates doses of E/I binders administered and the p indicates doses of panitumumab administered. FIG. 12B: Average weight change is shown for each group over the course of the study. Symbols are as described in FIG. 12A legend.

FIGS. 13A-13D. Pharmacodynamic effects in the H292 NSCLC tumor xenograft model. Levels of the indicated analytes were determined in tumor lysates as described in Example 12. (FIG. 13A) phosph-EGFR, (FIG. 13B) phospho-ErbB2, (FIG. 13C) phospho-IGFR, and (FIG. 13D) total EGFR. Checkered bars=panitumumab, empty bars=E2-GS10-I1 (with PEG), hatched bats=E3-GS10-I1 (with PEG).

FIG. 14. Western blot analysis of MCF7r cells compared to MCF7 parental cells.

FIGS. 15A and 15B. MCF7 (FIG. 15A) and MCF7r (FIG. 15B) human tumor xenograft studies in nude mice. Mean tumor size is shown for both studies calculated from 8 mice per group.

FIG. 16. GEO human tumor xenograft studies in nude mice.

FIG. 17. H292 human tumor xenograft studies in nude mice.

FIGS. 18A and 18B. Colony formation assay with H292 NSCLC cells. FIG. 18A. Representative data is shown from a single plate. FIG. 18B. IC50 from one E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder is shown with error bars calculated from triplicate measurements.

FIGS. 19A and 19B. Epitope mapping assay. Location of epitope binding for various EGFR binding antibodies are shown in FIG. 19A. A description of the antibodies is provided in Example 18, Table 11. The left column of table 11 provides a number for each anti-EGFR antibody which correlates with the numbered antibodies shown in FIG. 19A. FIG. 19B shows an exemplary epitope mapping assay as described in Example 18.

FIG. 20. DSC analysis of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder, I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, measured with a scan range of 15-95° C. at 1 mg/ml protein concentration in PBS, resulted in a Tm measurement of 55.2° C.

FIG. 21. Evaluation of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders for inhibition of AKT phosphorylation in H292 cells as measured by ELISA. I1-GS10-E5-pegylated (∘) was more potent than I1-pegylated alone (▪) or E5-pegylated alone (▴) for blocking IGF1-stimulated AKT phosphorylation.

FIG. 22. Evaluation of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders for inhibition of cell proliferation in H292 cells. I1-GS10-E5-pegylated (□) was more potent than I1-pegylated alone (▴) and E5-pegylated alone () had only weak effects for inhibiting the growth of H292 cells. Assays were carried out in triplicate. Representative data is shown.

FIG. 23. Evaluation of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders for inhibition of cell proliferation in RH41 cells. I1-GS10-E5-pegylated (□) was slightly more potent than I1-pegylated alone (▴) and E5-pegylated alone () or panitumumab (dashed line) had almost no effect for inhibiting the growth of RH41 cells. Assays were carried out in triplicate. Representative data is shown.

FIGS. 24A-24C. Inhibition of ligand stimulated signaling by ¹⁰Fn3-based binders (pegylated). Effect of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder (I1-GS10-E5 pegylated) on receptor activation and cell signaling in DiFi (FIG. 24A), H292 (FIG. 24B) or BxPC3 (FIG. 24C) cells. Cells were serum starved and treated for 2 hours with 1 μM ¹⁰Fn3-based binders before stimulation with either EGF, IGF1 or a combination of EGF+IGF1. GAPDH was probed to illustrate equal loading in all lanes.

FIG. 25. Inhibition of ligand stimulated signaling in H292 cells by ¹⁰Fn3-based binders (unpegylated). Effect of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder (E2-GS10-I1) on receptor activation and cell signaling in H292 cells. Cells were serum starved and treated for 2 hours with 1 μM ¹⁰Fn3-based binders before stimulation with either EGF, IGF1 or a combination of EGF+IGF1. GAPDH was probed to illustrate equal loading in all lanes

FIGS. 26A and 26B. Competition binding studies with E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. FIG. 26A. The EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binder does not compete for binding of EGFR antibodies to EGFR. Initial injection of the EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binder shows binding to EGFR on the surface of the chip. A second injection of EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binder mixed with an equal amount of cetuximab, panitumumab, or nimotuzumab shows no competition for binding of antibodies to EGFR by the EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binder. FIG. 26B. The E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder can bind EGFR and IGF-IR simultaneously. Initial injection of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder shows binding to EGFR immobilized on the chip surface. A second injection of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder soluble IGF-IR shows binding of sIGF-IR to other end of the immobilized E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder.

FIGS. 27A-27C. TGFα plasma levels 4 hours after last dose of xenograft studies. Plasma samples taken at the end of treatment from the BxPC3 (FIG. 27A), GEO (FIG. 27B) and H441 (FIG. 27C) xenograft studies described in Table 24 were analyzed for circulating levels of TGFα.

FIGS. 28A and 28B. TGFα and IGF1 plasma levels in non tumor bearing nude mice after dosing with I1-GS10-E5 pegylated. Non-tumor bearing mice were given a single dose of I1-GS10-E5 pegylated ¹⁰Fn3-based binder and analyzed for circulating levels of TGFα (FIG. 28A) and IGF1 (FIG. 28B).

FIGS. 29A and 29B. H292 xenograft study using E/I 10Fn3-based binders as compared to panitumumab. H292 xenografts were either untreated (□) or dosed three times a week with ¹⁰Fn3-based binders formulated in PBS with the individual constructs as described in the figure or dosed every three days i.p. with panitumumab at 1 mg/mouse (∘) or 0.1 mg/mouse (□). Actual doses of ¹⁰Fn3-based binders and panitumumab (▴) are indicated on the x-axis with the panitumumab doses closest to the x-axis below the triangles indicating doses of ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. FIG. 29A shows measurements out to day 43. FIG. 29B shows measurements out to day 27.

FIG. 30. Pharmaokinectic parameters profile of E2-GS10-I1 pegylated in mice.

FIG. 31. Comparison of half-life at 100 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg IP, and 10 mg/kg and 64 mg/kg SC in various E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders.

FIG. 32. Antitumor efficacy of E2-GS10-I1 pegylated in the RH41 model.

FIGS. 33A and 33B. Measurement of pharmacodynamic endpoints in tumors. At the end of treatment, tumors were removed 4 hours following the final dose from DiFi xenograft model (FIG. 33A) and H292 xenograft model (FIG. 33B) and examined for levels of phospho-EGFR, phospho-IGFR, total EGFR and total IGFR. Equal amounts of total protein lysate was loaded into each lane of the gels and blots were also probed with GAPDH to demonstrate equal loading across all lanes.

FIG. 34. Sequence of anti-EGFR binder 679F09 (SEQ ID NO: 490). Loop residues which were varied are underlined.

FIG. 35. BC loop Sequence Analysis I. Frequency of amino acids at each position in the BC loop from EGFR binding sequences. Image created using WebLogo (Crooks G E, Hon G, Chandonia J M, Brenner S E. WebLogo: A sequence logo generator. Genome Research, 14:1188-1190, 2004).

FIG. 36. DE loop Sequence Analysis 1. Frequency of amino acids at each position in the DE loop from EGFR binding sequences (263 unique DE loop sequences analyzed).

FIG. 37. FG loop (10-aa length) Sequence Analysis I. Frequency of amino acids at each position in the FG loop from EGFR binding sequences with 10-amino acid long FG loops (228 unique 10-amino acid long FG loops analyzed).

FIG. 38. FG loop (15-aa length) Sequence Analysis I. Frequency of amino acids at each position in the FG loop from EGFR binding sequences with 15-amino acid long FG loops (349 unique 15-amino acid long FG loops analyzed).

FIG. 39. BC loop Sequence Analysis II. Frequency of amino acids at each position in the BC loop from all “potent” sequences (85 unique BC loop sequences analyzed).

FIG. 40. DE loop Sequence Analysis II. Frequency of amino acids at each position in the DE loop from all “potent” sequences (60 unique DE loop sequences analyzed).

FIG. 41. FG loop (10-aa length) Sequence Analysis II. Frequency of amino acids at each position in the FG loop from all “potent” sequences with 10-amino acid long FG loops (6 unique 10-amino acid long FG loops analyzed).

FIG. 42. FG loop (15-aa length) Sequence Analysis II. Frequency of amino acids at each position in the FG loop from all “potent” sequences with 15-amino acid long FG loops (65 unique 15-amino acid long FG loops analyzed).

FIG. 43. Table summarizing various characteristics of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders as described in Example 22.

FIG. 44. Table summarizing various pharmacokinetic parameters of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders as described in Example 30.

FIGS. 45A-45H. Amino acid sequences of E monomers as described in Example 32. The BC, DE and FG loops in each sequence are underlined.

FIG. 46. Alignment of wild-type core sequence (amino acids 9-94 of SEQ ID NO: 1) with I1 core (SEQ ID NO:65), E1 core (SEQ ID NO:66), E2 core (SEQ ID NO:67), E3 core (SEQ ID NO:68), E4 core (SEQ ID NO:108), E5 core (SEQ ID NO:114), E85 core (SEQ ID NO:141), E90 core (SEQ ID NO:156), E96 core (SEQ ID NO:171), E105 core (SEQ ID NO:186), and E112 core (SEQ ID NO:199). The BC, DE and FG loops in the wild-type sequences are shown in bold and underlined. The amino acid residues actually changed in comparison to wild-type for the I and E cores are shown i bold and underlined.

FIGS. 47A-47Q. Nucleic acid sequences of E and I monomers. Unless otherwise specified, the nucleotide sequences encode a monomer having an N+10 N-terminal extension, a Ser tail, and a His tag.

FIGS. 48A-48G. Nucleic acid sequence of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. All nucleotide sequences encode an E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder having an N+10 N-terminal extension on the first monomer in the construct and a Cys tail and His tag on the second monomer in the construct. GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11; GSGCGS8 is SEQ ID NO: 218; and GSGC is SEQ ID NO: 489.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

As used herein, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in the inclusive, open sense, meaning that additional elements may be included.

The term “including” is used to mean “including but not limited to”. “Including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably.

The term “antibody-like protein” refers to a non-immunoglobulin protein having an “immunoglobulin-like fold”, i.e., comprises about 80-150 amino acid residues that are structurally organized into a set of beta or beta-like strands, forming beta sheets, where the beta or beta-like strands are connected by intervening loop portions. The beta sheets form the stable core of the antibody-like protein, while creating two “faces” composed of the loops that connect the beta or beta-like strands. As described herein, these loops can be varied to create customized ligand binding sites, and such variations can be generated without disrupting the overall stability of the protein. An example of such an antibody-like protein is a “fibronectin-based scaffold protein”, by which is meant a polypeptide based on a fibronectin type III domain (Fn3). In one aspect, an antibody-like protein is based on a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3).

By a “polypeptide” is meant any sequence of two or more amino acids, regardless of length, post-translation modification, or function. “Polypeptide,” “peptide,” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein.

“Percent (%) amino acid sequence identity” herein is defined as the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence that are identical with the amino acid residues in a selected sequence, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN, ALIGN-2 or Megalign (DNASTAR) software. Those skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms needed to achieve maximal alignment over the full-length of the sequences being compared. For purposes herein, however, % amino acid sequence identity values are obtained as described below by using the sequence comparison computer program ALIGN-2. The ALIGN-2 sequence comparison computer program was authored by Genentech, Inc. has been filed with user documentation in the U.S. Copyright Office, Washington D.C., 20559, where it is registered under U.S. Copyright Registration No. TXU510087, and is publicly available through Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, Calif. The ALIGN-2 program should be compiled for use on a UNIX operating system, preferably digital UNIX V4.0D. All sequence comparison parameters are set by the ALIGN-2 program and do not vary.

For purposes herein, the % amino acid sequence identity of a given amino acid sequence A to, with, or against a given amino acid sequence B (which can alternatively be phrased as a given amino acid sequence A that has or comprises a certain % amino acid sequence identity to, with, or against a given amino acid sequence B) is calculated as follows: 100 times the fraction X/Y where X is the number of amino acid residues scored as identical matches by the sequence alignment program ALIGN-2 in that program's alignment of A and B, and where Y is the total number of amino acid residues in B. It will be appreciated that where the length of amino acid sequence A is not equal to the length of amino acid sequence B, the % amino acid sequence identity of A to B will not equal the % amino acid sequence identity of B to A.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount of a drug effective to treat a disease or disorder in a mammal. In the case of cancer, the therapeutically effective amount of the drug may reduce the number of cancer cells; reduce the tumor size; inhibit (i.e., slow to some extent and preferably stop) cancer cell infiltration into peripheral organs; inhibit (i.e., slow to some extent and preferably stop) tumor metastasis; inhibit, to some extent, tumor growth; and/or relieve to some extent one or more of the symptoms associated with the disorder. To the extent the drug may prevent growth and/or kill existing cancer cells, it may be cytostatic and/or cytotoxic. For cancer therapy, efficacy in vivo can, for example, be measured by assessing the time to disease progression (TTP) and/or determining the response rates (RR).

The half-life of an amino acid sequence or compound can generally be defined as the time taken for the serum concentration of the polypeptide to be reduced by 50% in vivo due to, e.g., degradation of the sequence or compound and/or clearance or sequestration of the sequence or compound by natural mechanisms. The half-life can be determined in any manner known in the art, such as by pharmacokinetic analysis. See e.g., M Gibaldi & D Perron “Pharmacokinetics”, published by Marcel Dekker, 2nd Rev. edition (1982).

The term “E/I binder” refers to a bispecific molecule that comprises an EGFR binding domain and a distinct IGFIR binding domain. The two domains may be covalently or non-covalently linked. An exemplary E/I binder is an antibody-like dimer comprising an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3, i.e. an E/I ¹⁰Fn3 based binder.

OVERVIEW

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IFGR) play key roles in the tumorigenesis of several types of human cancer. Inhibition of either receptor effectively reduces tumor growth in preclinical models as well as clinically. Blocking the EGFR pathway induces switching to the IGFR pathway to drive growth with in vitro tumor models. Therefore, blocking both receptors simultaneously may achieve superior efficacy to blocking either pathway alone by overcoming pathway switching. In exemplary embodiments, the activity of an E/I binder is synergistic in comparison to the monomeric components of the E/I binder.

The specification describes, inter alia, bispecific molecules that bind EGFR and IGFIR, referred to herein as “E/I binders”. Applicants have discovered that such bispecific molecules inhibit proliferation of a cancer model cell line with greater potency than the corresponding. monospecific binders (see e.g., Example 9 and FIG. 8).

E/I binders will be useful in numerous therapeutic applications, especially in the treatment of cancer. In addition to therapeutic applications, E/I binders may be used in any circumstance where it is desirable to detect EGFR and/or IGFIR.

E/I binders have an EGFR binding domain and a distinct IGFIR binding domain. Typical binding domains include antibodies; therefore, bispecific antibodies may be generated to function as E/I binders. Bispecific antibodies comprising complementary pairs of V_(H) and V_(L) regions are known in the art. These bispecific antibodies comprise two pairs of V_(H) and V_(L), each V_(H)/L pair binding to a single antigen. (see e.g., Hu et al., Cancer Res. 1996 56:3055-306; Neri et al., J. Mol. Biol. 1995 246:367-373; Atwell et al., Mol. Immunol. 1996 33:1301-1312; and Carter et al., Protein Sci. 1997 6:781-788). An exemplary bispecific antibody is a diabody, i.e., a small antibody fragment with two antigen-binding sites, which fragments comprise a heavy-chain variable domain connected to a light-chain variable domain in the same polypeptide chain (Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1993 90: 6444-6448).

E/I binders also encompass dimers of ligand binding scaffold proteins. Scaffold proteins are well described in the literature and include, e.g., tendamistat, affibody, fibroncectin type III domain, anticalin, tetranectin, and ankyrin. Additional scaffold proteins that may be used to generate E/I binders are reviewed in Binz et al., Nature Biotech 23:1257-1268 (2005). Scaffold proteins are based on a rigid core structure or ‘framework’ that is important in determining and stabilizing the three-dimensional structure. In between the fixed or conserved residues of the scaffold lie variable regions such as loops, surfaces or cavities that can be randomized to alter ligand binding. A large diversity of amino acids is provided in the variable regions between the fixed scaffold residues to provide specific binding to a target molecule.

An exemplary ligand binding scaffold protein is based on a fibronectin type III domain (Fn3). Fibronectin is a large protein which plays essential roles in the formation of extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions; it consists of many repeats of three types (types I, II, and III) of small domains.

Fn3 is small, monomeric, soluble, and stable. It lacks disulfide bonds and, therefore, is stable under reducing conditions. The overall structure of Fn3 resembles the immunoglobulin fold. Fn3 domains comprise, in order from N-terminus to C-terminus, a beta or beta-like strand, A; a loop, AB; a beta or beta-like strand, B; a loop, BC; a beta or beta-like strand, C; a loop, CD; a beta or beta-like strand, D; a loop, DE; a beta or beta-like strand, E; a loop, EF; a beta or beta-like strand, F; a loop, FG; and a beta or beta-like strand, G. The seven antiparallel β-strands are arranged as two beta sheets that form a stable core, while creating two “faces” composed of the loops that connect the beta or beta-like strands. Loops AB, CD, and EF are located at one face and loops BC, DE, and FG are located on the opposing face. Any or all of loops AB, BC, CD, DE, EF and FG may participate in ligand binding. There are at least 15 different modules of Fn3, and while the sequence homology between the molecules is low, they all share a high similarity in tertiary structure.

Adnectins™ (Adnexus, a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company) are ligand binding scaffold proteins based on the tenth fibronectin type III domain, i.e., the tenth module of Fn3, (¹⁰Fn3). The amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring human ¹⁰Fn3 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDAPAVTVRYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGSKST ATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTGRGDSPASSKPISINYRT (SEQ ID NO:1) (BC, FG, and DE loops are emphasized)

In SEQ ID NO:1, the AB loop corresponds to residues 15-16, the BC loop corresponds to residues 21-30, the CD loop corresponds to residues 39-45, the DE loop corresponds to residues 51-56, the EF loop corresponds to residues 60-66, and the FG loop corresponds to residues 76-87. (Xu et al., Chemistry & Biology 2002 9:933-942). The BC, DE and FG loops align along one face of the molecule and the AB, CD and EF loops align along the opposite face of the molecule. In SEQ ID NO: 1, beta strand A corresponds to residues 9-14, beta strand B corresponds to residues 17-20, beta strand C corresponds to residues 31-38, beta strand D corresponds to residues 46-50, beta strand E corresponds to residues 57-59, beta strand F corresponds to residues 67-75, and beta strand G corresponds to residues 88-94. The strands are connected to each other through the corresponding loop, e.g., strands A and B are connected via loop AB in the formation strand A, loop AB, strand B, etc. Residues involved in forming the hydrophobic core (the “core amino acid residues”) include the amino acids corresponding to the following amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 1: L8, V10, A13, L18, 120, W22, Y32, 134, Y36, F48, V50, A57, 159, L62, Y68, 170, V72, A74, 188, 190 and Y92, wherein the core amino acid residues are represented by the single letter amino acid code followed by the position at which they are located within SEQ ID NO: 1. See e.g., Dickinson et al., J. Mol. Biol. 236: 1079-1092 (1994).

As described above, amino acid residues corresponding to residues 21-30, 51-56, and 76-87 of SEQ ID NO: 1 define the BC, DE and FG loops, respectively. However, it should be understood that not every residue within the loop region needs to be modified in order to achieve a ¹⁰Fn3 binder having strong affinity for a desired target, such as IGF-IR or EGFR. For example, in many of the examples described herein, only residues corresponding to amino acids 23-30, 52-55 and 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1 were modified to produce high affinity ¹⁰Fn3 binders (see FIG. 46. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the BC loop may be defined by amino acids corresponding to residues 23-30 of SEQ ID NO: 1, the DE loop may be defined by amino acids corresponding to residues 52-55 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and the FG loop may be defined by amino acids corresponding to residues 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

¹⁰Fn3 are structurally and functionally analogous to antibodies, specifically the variable region of an antibody. While ¹⁰Fn3 domains may be described as “antibody mimics” or “antibody-like proteins”, they do offer a number of advantages over conventional antibodies. In particular, they exhibit better folding and thermostability properties as compared to antibodies, and they lack disulphide bonds, which are known to impede or prevent proper folding under certain conditions. Exemplary E/I ¹⁰Fn3 based binders are predominantly monomeric with Tm's averaging ˜50° C.

The BC, DE, and FG loops of ¹⁰Fn3 are analogous to the complementary determining regions (CDRs) from immunoglobulins. Alteration of the amino acid sequence in these loop regions changes the binding specificity of ¹⁰Fn3. The protein sequences outside of the CDR-like loops are analogous to the framework regions from immunoglobulins and play a role in the structural conformation of the ¹⁰Fn3. Alterations in the framework-like regions of ¹⁰Fn3 are permissible to the extent that the structural conformation is not so altered as to disrupt ligand binding. Methods for generating ¹⁰Fn3 ligand specific binders have been described in PCT Publication Nos. WO 00/034787, WO 01/64942, and WO 02/032925, disclosing high affinity TNFα binders, PCT Publication No. WO 2008/097497, disclosing high affinity VEGFR2 binders, and PCT Publication No. WO 2008/066752, disclosing high affinity IGFIR binders. Additional references discussing ¹⁰Fn3 binders and methods of selecting binders include PCT Publication Nos. WO 98/056915, WO 02/081497, and WO 2008/031098 and U.S. Publication No. 2003186385.

Antibody-like proteins based on the ¹⁰Fn3 scaffold can be defined generally by the sequence: VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLI(X)_(n)YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTV(X)_(n)ATISGLKPGVDYTITV YAV(X)_(p)ISINYRT (SEQ ID NO: 32), wherein n is an integer from 1-20, o is an integer from 1-20, and p is an integer from 1-40. The BC, DE, and FG loops are represented by (X)_(n), (X)_(o), and (X)_(p), respectively.

¹⁰Fn3 generally begin with the amino acid residue corresponding to number 1 of SEQ ID NO: 1. However, domains with amino acid deletions are also encompassed by the invention. In some embodiments, amino acid residues corresponding to the first eight amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 1 are deleted. Additional sequences may also be added to the N- or C-terminus. For example, an additional MG sequence may be placed at the N-terminus of ¹⁰Fn3. The M will usually be cleaved off, leaving a G at the N-terminus. In some embodiments, sequences may be placed at the C-terminus of the ¹⁰Fn3 domain, e.g., EIDKPSQ (SEQ ID NO: 9), EIDKPCQ (SEQ ID NO: 10), EGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 96) or EGSGC (SEQ ID NO: 97).

The non-ligand binding sequences of ¹⁰Fn3, i.e., the “¹⁰Fn3 scaffold”, may be altered provided that the ¹⁰Fn3 retains ligand binding function and/or structural stability. In some embodiments, one or more of Asp 7, Glu 9, and Asp 23 are replaced by another amino acid, such as, for example, a non-negatively charged amino acid residue (e.g., Asn, Lys, etc.). These mutations have been reported to have the effect of promoting greater stability of the mutant ¹⁰Fn3 at neutral pH as compared to the wild-type form (See, PCT Publication No. WO 02/04523). A variety of additional alterations in the ¹⁰Fn3 scaffold that are either beneficial or neutral have been disclosed. See, for example, Batori et al., Protein Eng. 2002 15(12):1015-20; Koide et al., Biochemistry 2001 40(34):10326-33.

The ¹⁰Fn3 scaffold may be modified by one or more conservative substitutions. As many as 5%, 10%, 20% or even 30% or more of the amino acids in the ¹⁰Fn3 scaffold may be altered by a conservative substitution without substantially altering the affinity of the ¹⁰Fn3 for a ligand. For example, the scaffold modification preferably reduces the binding affinity of the ¹⁰Fn3 binder for a ligand by less than 100-fold, 50-fold, 25-fold, 10-fold, 5-fold, or 2-fold. It may be that such changes will alter the immunogenicity of the ¹⁰Fn3 in vivo, and where the immunogenicity is decreased, such changes will be desirable. As used herein, “conservative substitutions” are residues that are physically or functionally similar to the corresponding reference residues. That is, a conservative substitution and its reference residue have similar size, shape, electric charge, chemical properties including the ability to form covalent or hydrogen bonds, or the like. Preferred conservative substitutions are those fulfilling the criteria defined for an accepted point mutation in Dayhoff et al., Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure 5:345-352 (1978 & Supp.). Examples of conservative substitutions are substitutions within the following groups: (a) valine, glycine; (b) glycine, alanine; (c) valine, isoleucine, leucine; (d) aspartic acid, glutamic acid; (e) asparagine, glutamine; (f) serine, threonine; (g) lysine, arginine, methionine; and (h) phenylalanine, tyrosine.

E Binders

In one aspect, the disclosure provides antibody-like proteins comprising an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 domain. In certain embodiments, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 may be provided as part of a fusion protein or multimer. For example, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 may be covalently or non-covalently linked to at least a second ¹⁰Fn3 binding domain. The second ¹⁰Fn3 binding domain may bind to EGFR or to a different target. In an exemplary embodiment, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 may be covalently or non-covalently linked to an IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3.

In exemplary embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 proteins described herein bind to EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM, 100 nM, 50 nM, 10 nM, 1 nM, 500 pM, 100 pM. 100 pM, 50 pM or 10 pM.

In exemplary embodiments, the BC loop of the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 proteins correspond to amino acids 23-30 of SEQ ID NO: 1, the DE loop of the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 proteins correspond to amino acids 52-55 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and the FG loop of the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 proteins correspond to amino acids 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In one embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having a YQ at the positions corresponding to amino acids 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having a YQ at the positions corresponding to amino acids 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and an FG loop that is fifteen amino acids in length, e.g., an FG loop that is extended in length by five amino acids due to an insertion of five amino acids between residues corresponding to amino acids 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having a YQ at the positions corresponding to amino acids 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a DE loop having a V, I, L, M or A residue at the position corresponding to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having a YQ at the positions corresponding to amino acids 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a DE loop having a V, I, L, M or A residue at the position corresponding to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and an FG loop that is fifteen amino acids in length, e.g., an FG loop that is extended in length by five amino acids due to an insertion of five amino acids between residues corresponding to amino acids 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having a YQ at the positions corresponding to amino acids 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and an FG loop comprising a D or N at the position corresponding to amino acid 77 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having a YQ at the positions corresponding to amino acids 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and an FG loop (i) that is fifteen amino acids in length, e.g., an FG loop that is extended in length by five amino acids due to an insertion of five amino acids between residues corresponding to amino acids 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and (ii) comprises a D or N at the position corresponding to amino acid 77 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a DE loop comprising a V, I, L, M or A residue at the position corresponding to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and an FG loop comprising a D or N at the position corresponding to amino acid 77 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a DE loop comprising a V, I, L, M or A residue at the position corresponding to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and an FG loop (i) that is fifteen amino acids in length, e.g., an FG loop that is extended in length by five amino acids due to an insertion of five amino acids between residues corresponding to amino acids 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and (ii) comprises a D or N at the position corresponding to amino acid 77 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having a YQ at the positions corresponding to amino acids 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a DE loop comprising a V, I, L, M or A residue at the position corresponding to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and an FG loop comprising a D or N at the position corresponding to amino acid 77 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having a YQ at the positions corresponding to amino acids 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a DE loop comprising a V, I, L, M or A residue at the position corresponding to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and an FG loop (i) that is fifteen amino acids in length, e.g., an FG loop that is extended in length by five amino acids due to an insertion of five amino acids between residues corresponding to amino acids 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and (ii) comprises a D or N at the position corresponding to amino acid 77 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop comprising the amino acid sequence XX(V/I/L/M/A)X, and an FG loop comprising the amino acid sequence (D/N)X_(n), wherein X is any amino acid and n is 9-14 amino acids. In an exemplary embodiment, n is 14 amino acids.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop corresponding to amino acids 23-30 of SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop corresponding to amino acids 52-55 of SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising the amino acid sequence XX(V/I/L/M/A)X, and an FG loop corresponding to amino acids 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising the amino acid sequence (D/N)X_(n), wherein X is any amino acid and n is 9-14 amino acids. In an exemplary embodiment, n is 14 amino acids.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop comprising the amino acid sequence XX(V/I/L/M/A)X, and an FG loop comprising an amino acid sequence selected from:

i. (D/N)(Y/M)(Y/A/M)(Y/H/F)(K/Q/V)(E/P/R)(Y/T/K)X(E/Y/Q)(Y/G/H); and

ii. D(Y/F/W)(Y/F/K)(N/D/P)(P/H/L)(A/T/V)(T/D/S)(H/Y/G)(E/P/V)(Y/H)(T/K/I) (Y/F)(H/N/Q)(T/Q/E)(T/S/I);

wherein X is any amino acid.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop comprising the amino acid sequence (G/Y/H)(D/M/G)(V/L/I)X, and an FG loop comprising an amino acid sequence (D/N)(Y/M)(Y/A/M)(Y/H/F)(K/Q/V)(E/P/R)(Y/T/K)X(E/Y/Q)(Y/G/H), wherein X is any amino acid.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop comprising the amino acid sequence (G/Y/H)(D/M/G)(V/L/I)X, and an FG loop comprising an amino acid sequence D(Y/F/W)(Y/F/K)(N/D/P)(P/H/L)(A/T/V)(T/D/S)(H/Y/G)(E/P/V)(Y/H)(T/K/I)(Y/F)(H/N/Q)(T/Q/E)(T/S/I), wherein X is any amino acid.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop comprising the amino acid sequence XX(V/I/L/M/A)X, and an FG loop comprising an amino acid sequence selected from:

i. (SEQ ID NO: 473) DY(A/Y)GKPYXEY; ii. (SEQ ID NO: 474) DY(A/Y)Y(K/R/Q/T)PYXEY; iii. (SEQ ID NO: 475) (D/N)Y(A/Y)(Y/F)(K/R/Q/T)EYXE(Y/H); iv. (SEQ ID NO: 476) DYY(H/Y)X(R/K)X(E/T)YX; v. (SEQ ID NO: 477) DYY(H/Y)(K/H/Q)(R/K)T(E/T)Y(G/P); vi. (SEQ ID NO: 478) (D/N)MMHV(E/D)YXEY; vii. (SEQ ID NO: 479) DYMHXXYXEY; and viii. (SEQ ID NO: 480) D(M/Y)YHX(K/R)X(V/I/L/M)YG;

wherein X is any amino acid.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop comprising the amino acid sequence XX(V/I/L/M/A)X, and an FG loop comprising an amino acid sequence selected from:

i. (SEQ ID NO: 481) D(Y/F)(Y/F)NPXTHEYXYXXX; ii. (SEQ ID NO: 482) D(Y/F)(Y/F)D(P/L)X(T/S)HXYXYXXX; and iii. (SEQ ID NO: 483) D(Y/F)(K/R)PHXDGPH(T/I)YXE(S/Y);

wherein X is any amino acid.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop comprising the amino acid sequence XX(V/I/L/M/A)X, and an FG loop comprising the amino acid sequence (D/N)(M/Y)(M/A/W)(H/F/Y)(V/K)EY(A/Q/R/S/T)E(Y/H/D), wherein X is any amino acid.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop comprising the amino acid sequence XXXXXXYQ, a DE loop comprising the amino acid sequence XX(V/I/L/M/A)X, and an FG loop comprising the amino acid sequence D(Y/F/W)(Y/F/K)(N/P/D)(P/H/L)X(T/D/S)(H/G/Y)(E/P/Y)(Y/H)XYXXX, wherein X is any amino acid.

In various embodiments, the DE loop of the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 may comprise the sequence (G/Y/H)(D/M/G)(V/L/I)X.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising an FG loop comprising an amino acid sequence selected from:

i. (SEQ ID NO: 481) D(Y/F)(Y/F)NPXTHEYXYXXX; ii. (SEQ ID NO: 482) D(Y/F)(Y/F)D(P/L)X(T/S)HXYXYXXX; and iii. (SEQ ID NO: 483) D(Y/F)(K/R)PHXDGPH(T/I)YXE(S/Y);

wherein X is any amino acid.

In certain embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises any of the consensus sequences provided above, with the proviso that the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 does not comprise one or more of the following sequences:

i. (SEQ ID NO: 484) VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWQVPRPMYQRYYRITYGETGGNSP VQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYMHSEYRQYPIS INYRT, and ii. (SEQ ID NO: 485) VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWQVPRPMYQYYRITYGETGGNSPV QEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYMHSEYRQYPISI NYRT, and iii. (SEQ ID NO: 486) VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWQVPRPMYQRYYRITYGETGGNSP VQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYMHSEYRQYPIS INYRTEIDKPCQ.

In certain embodiments, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising one of the consensus sequences provided above has at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, or 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1. In certain embodiments, the overall structure of an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising one of the consensus sequences provided above resembles the immunoglobulin fold. In certain embodiment, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising one of the consensus sequences provided above further comprises the core amino acid residues of the scaffold. In certain embodiments, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising one of the consensus sequences provided above has at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 52, 66-68, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 182, 185-187, 198-200, or 219-327. In certain embodiments, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising one of the consensus sequences provided above has at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to the amino acid sequence of amino acid residues corresponding to E9 of SEQ ID NO: 1 through T94 of SEQ ID NO: 1 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 52, 66-68, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 182, 185-187, 198-200, or 219-327. In certain embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising one of the consensus sequences provided above comprises a ¹⁰Fn3 scaffold having from has anywhere from 0 to 20, from 0 to 15, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions relative to the scaffold amino acids residues of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 23-30, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 52-55, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 77-86 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 219-327. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-87 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 219-327. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising an amino acid sequence at least 60%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 98% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 219-327.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 5, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 5, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-92 of SEQ ID NO: 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)DSGRGSYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 40), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GPVHX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 42), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DHKPHADGPHTYHEX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 44); wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k, and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWDSGRGSYQ (SEQ ID NO: 39), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGPVHT (SEQ ID NO: 41), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDHKPHADGPHTYHESP (SEQ ID NO: 43). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 5 or 6.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 7, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 7, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-87 of SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(m)VAGAEDYQX_(n) (SEQ ID NO: 34), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(o)HDLVX_(p) (SEQ ID NO: 36), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(q)DMMHVEYTEHX_(r) (SEQ ID NO: 38); wherein X is any amino acid and m, n, o, p, q, and r are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWVAGAEDYQ (SEQ ID NO: 33), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PHDLVT (SEQ ID NO: 35), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDMMHVEYTEHP (SEQ ID NO: 37). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 7 or 8.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 23-30 of SEQ ID NO: 82, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-55 of SEQ ID NO: 82, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-86 of SEQ ID NO: 82. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(s)LPGKLRYQX_(t) (SEQ ID NO: 60), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(u)HDLRX_(w) (SEQ ID NO: 62), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(y)NMMHVEYSEYX_(z) (SEQ ID NO: 64); wherein X is any amino acid and s, t, u, w, y and z are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence LPGKLRYQ (resdiues 3-13 of SEQ ID NO: 59), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PHDLR (residues 1-5 of SEQ ID NO: 61), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TNMMHVEYSEY (residues 1-11 of SEQ ID NO: 63). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52 or 82.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 23-30 of SEQ ID NO: 106, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-55 of SEQ ID NO: 106, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-86 of SEQ ID NO: 106. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)HERDGSRQX_(n) (SEQ ID NO: 134), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GGVRX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 135), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYFNPTTHEYIYQTTX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 136); wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWHERDGSRQ (SEQ ID NO: 109), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGGVRT (SEQ ID NO: 110), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTP (SEQ ID NO: 111). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 106-108.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 23-30 of SEQ ID NO: 112, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-55 of SEQ ID NO: 112, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-86 of SEQ ID NO: 112. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)WAPVDRYQX_(n) (SEQ ID NO: 137), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)RDVYX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 138), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHESX_(l)(SEQ ID NO: 139); wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWWAPVDRYQ (SEQ ID NO: 115), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PRDVYT (SEQ ID NO: 116), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYKPHADGPHTYHESP (SEQ ID NO: 117). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 112-114.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 141, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 141, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 141. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)TQGSTHYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 146), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GMVYX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 147), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYFDRSTHEYKYRTTX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 148); wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWTQGSTHYQ (SEQ ID NO: 143), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGMVYT (SEQ ID NO: 144), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTP (SEQ ID NO: 145). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140-142.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 156, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 156, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 156. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)YWEGLPYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 161), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)RDVNX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 162), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DWYNPDTHEYIYHTIX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 163); wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWYWEGLPYQ (SEQ ID NO: 158), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PRDVNT (SEQ ID NO: 159), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIP (SEQ ID NO: 160). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 155-157.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 171, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 171, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 171. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)ASNRGTYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 176), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GGVSX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 177), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DAFNPTTHEYNYFTTX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 178); wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWASNRGTYQ (SEQ ID NO: 173), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGGVST (SEQ ID NO: 174), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTP (SEQ ID NO: 175). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 170-172.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 186, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 186, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 186. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)DAPTSRYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 190), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GGLSX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 191), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHESX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 139); wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWDAPTSRYQ (SEQ ID NO: 188), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGGLST (SEQ ID NO: 189), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYKPHADGPHTYHESP (SEQ ID NO: 117). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 185-187.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein is provided comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM and comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 199, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 199, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 199. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)DAGAVTYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 203), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GGVRX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 135), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHEYX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 204); wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWDAGAVTYQ (SEQ ID NO: 201), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGGVRT (SEQ ID NO: 110), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYKPHADGPHTYHEYP (SEQ ID NO: 202). In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 198-200.

In certain embodiments, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 domain is covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 domain. In exemplary embodiments, the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 may comprise a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50), wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5, or wherein a is 2 and b-f are 1, or wherein a-f are zero. In some embodiments, the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, 99, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In certain embodiments, the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a ¹⁰Fn3 scaffold having from has anywhere from 0 to 20, from 0 to 15, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions relative to the scaffold amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO: 1. In certain embodiments, the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has anywhere from 0 to 15, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions relative to the corresponding loop sequences of SEQ ID NO: 3.

¹⁰Fn3 E/I Binders

One aspect of the disclosure provides E/I binders constructed from antibody-like protein multimers. In some embodiments, an antibody-like protein multimer comprises at least one EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 covalently or non-covalently linked to at least one IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3. In certain embodiments, the E/I binders described herein may be constructed as a single polypeptide chain wherein the E and I subunits may be in either orientation, e.g., from N-terminus to C-terminus, in the E-I orientation or in the I-E orientation.

The disclosure relates, in part, to the surprising discovery that multiple ¹⁰Fn3 joined via a polypeptide linker correctly fold independently of each other, retain high affinity binding, and that each of the domains retains its functional properties (see e.g., Examples 5-10). Additionally, these E/I ¹⁰Fn3 based binders demonstrate desirable biophysical properties such as low aggregation and high melting temperature (T_(m)) (see e.g., Example 4). The Examples characterize a variety of E/I ¹⁰Fn3 based binders. An exemplary IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4. Exemplary EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 are set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 6, 8, 52, 107, 113, 140, 155, 170, 185 and 198.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder comprises an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3, independently having an amino acid sequence at least 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80% identical to the human ¹⁰Fn3 domain, shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. Much of the variability will generally occur in one or more of the loops.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder comprises an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3, independently having an amino acid sequence at least 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32, wherein n is an integer from 1-20, o is an integer from 1-20, and p is an integer from 1-40. In some embodiments, n is an integer from 8-12, o is an integer from 4-8, and p is an integer from 4-28. In some embodiments, n is 10, o is 6, and p is 12.

In some embodiments, the disclosure provides multimers of ¹⁰Fn3 having at least one loop selected from loop BC, DE, and FG with an altered amino acid sequence relative to the sequence of the corresponding loop of the human ¹⁰Fn3. By “altered” is meant one or more amino acid sequence alterations relative to a template sequence (corresponding human fibronectin domain) and includes amino acid additions, deletions, and substitutions. Altering an amino acid sequence may be accomplished through intentional, blind, or spontaneous sequence variation, generally of a nucleic acid coding sequence, and may occur by any technique, for example, PCR, error-prone PCR, or chemical DNA synthesis. In some embodiments, an amino acid sequence is altered by substituting with or adding naturally occurring amino acids.

In some embodiments, one or more loops selected from BC, DE, and FG may be extended or shortened in length relative to the corresponding human fibronectin loop. In particular, the FG loop of the human ¹⁰Fn3 is 12 residues long, whereas the corresponding loop in antibody heavy chains ranges from 4-28 residues. To optimize antigen binding, therefore, the length of the FG loop of ¹⁰Fn3 may be altered in length as well as in sequence to obtain the greatest possible flexibility and affinity in antigen binding.

In some embodiments of the ¹⁰Fn3 molecules, the altered BC loop has up to 10 amino acid substitutions, up to 9 amino acid deletions, up to 10 amino acid insertions, or a combination of substitutions and deletions or insertions. In some embodiments, the altered DE loop has up to 6 amino acid substitutions, up to 5 amino acid deletions, up to 14 amino acid insertions or a combination of substitutions and deletions or insertions. In some embodiments, the FG loop has up to 12 amino acid substitutions, up to 11 amino acid deletions, up to 28 amino acid insertions or a combination of substitutions and deletions or insertions.

Naturally occurring ¹⁰Fn3 comprises an “arginine-glycine-aspartic acid” (RGD) integrin-binding motif in the FG loop. Preferred multimers of ¹⁰Fn3 lack an RGD integrin-binding motif.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 5, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 5, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-92 of SEQ ID NO: 5; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, 99, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 5. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, 99, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, 99, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 20, 21, 23, 24, 90, 92, 101 or 103.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 7, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 7, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-87 of SEQ ID NO: 7; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 26, 27, 29, 30, 89, 91, 100 or 102.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 82, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 82, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-87 of SEQ ID NO: 82; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 82. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 53, 54, 87, 88, 98, 99, 104 or 105.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 106, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 106, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-92 of SEQ ID NO: 106; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 106. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 118-125.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 112, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 112, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-92 of SEQ ID NO: 112; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 112. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 126-133.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 141, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 141, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 141; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 140, 141, 142 or 300. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 149-154.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 156, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 156, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 156; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 155, 156, 157 or 305. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 158-166.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 171, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 171, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 171; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 170, 171, 172 or 311. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 179-184.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 186, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 186, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 186; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 185, 186, 187 or 320. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 192-197.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 13-22 of SEQ ID NO: 199, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 43-48 of SEQ ID NO: 199, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 68-84 of SEQ ID NO: 199; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-83 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 198, 199, 200 or 327. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 205-210.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)DSGRGSYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 40), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GPVHX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 42), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DHKPHADGPHTYHEX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 44); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, and l are integers independently selected from 0 to 5. In some embodiments, a, g, and l are 2; b-f and i-k are 1; and h is zero. In some embodiments, a-l are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWDSGRGSYQ (SEQ ID NO: 39), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGPVHT (SEQ ID NO: 41), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDHKPHADGPHTYHESP (SEQ ID NO: 43).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(m)VAGAEDYQX_(n) (SEQ ID NO: 34), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(o)HDLVX_(p) (SEQ ID NO: 36), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(q)DMMHVEYTEHX_(r) (SEQ ID NO: 38); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, m, n, o, p, q, and r are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and m are 2; b-f and o-r are 1; and n is zero. In some embodiments, a-f and m-r are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWVAGAEDYQ (SEQ ID NO: 33), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PHDLVT (SEQ ID NO: 35), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDMMHVEYTEHP (SEQ ID NO: 37).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(s)LPGKLRYQX_(t) (SEQ ID NO: 60), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(v)HDLRX_(w) (SEQ ID NO: 62), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(y)NMMHVEYSEYX_(z) (SEQ ID NO: 64); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, s, t, u, w, y, and z are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and s are 2; b-f, u, w, y and z are 1; and t is zero. In some embodiments, a-f, s-u, w, y and z are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWLPGKLRYQ (SEQ ID NO: 59), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PHDLRT (SEQ ID NO: 61), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TNMMHVEYSEYP (SEQ ID NO: 63).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)HERDGSRQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 134), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GGVRX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 135), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYFNPTTHEYIYQTTX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 136); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k and l are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and g are 2; b-f and i-l are 1; and h is zero. In some embodiments, a-l are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWHERDGSRQ (SEQ ID NO: 109), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGGVRT (SEQ ID NO: 110), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTP (SEQ ID NO: 111).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)WAPVDRYQX_(h)(SEQ ID NO: 137), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)RDVYX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 138), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHESX_(l)(SEQ ID NO: 139); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k and l are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and g are 2; b-f and i-l are 1; and h is zero. In some embodiments, a-l are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWWAPVDRYQ (SEQ ID NO: 115), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PRDVYT (SEQ ID NO: 116), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYKPHADGPHTYHESP (SEQ ID NO: 117).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)TQGSTHYQX_(h)(SEQ ID NO: 146), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GMVYX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 147), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYFDRSTHEYKYRTTX_(l)(SEQ ID NO: 148); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k and l are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and g are 2; b-f and i-l are 1; and h is zero. In some embodiments, a-l are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWTQGSTHYQ (SEQ ID NO: 143), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGMVYT (SEQ ID NO: 144), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTP (SEQ ID NO: 145).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)YWEGLPYQX_(h)(SEQ ID NO: 161), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)RDVNX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 162), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DWYNPDTHEYIYHTIX_(l)(SEQ ID NO: 163); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k and l are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and g are 2; b-f and i-l are 1; and h is zero. In some embodiments, a-l are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWYWEGLPYQ (SEQ ID NO: 158), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PRDVNT (SEQ ID NO: 159), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIP (SEQ ID NO: 160).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)ASNRGTYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 176), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GGVSX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 177), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DAFNPTTHEYNYFTTX_(l)(SEQ ID NO: 178); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k and l are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and g are 2; b-f and i-l are 1; and h is zero. In some embodiments, a-l are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWASNRGTYQ (SEQ ID NO: 173), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGGVST (SEQ ID NO: 174), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTP (SEQ ID NO: 175).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)DAPTSRYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 190), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GGLSX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 191), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHESX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 139); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k and l are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and g are 2; b-f and i-l are 1; and h is zero. In some embodiments, a-l are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWDAPTSRYQ (SEQ ID NO: 188), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGGLST (SEQ ID NO: 189), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYKPHADGPHTYHESP (SEQ ID NO: 117).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)DAGAVTYQX_(h)(SEQ ID NO: 203), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)GGVRX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 135), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHEYX_(l) (SEQ ID NO: 204); wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k and l are integers from 0 to 5, independently. In some embodiments, a and g are 2; b-f and i-l are 1; and h is zero. In some embodiments, a-l are zero.

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49); covalently or non-covalently linked to an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWDAGAVTYQ (SEQ ID NO: 201), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PGGVRT (SEQ ID NO: 110), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYKPHADGPHTYHEYP (SEQ ID NO: 202).

In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 23-29 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 52-55 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 77-82 of SEQ ID NO: 3; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC, DE and FG loop as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 219-327 (see e.g., FIG. 45 wherein the BC, DE and FG loop sequences for each EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 are underlined). In some embodiments, an E/I binder is an antibody-like protein dimer comprising a) an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 23-29 of SEQ ID NO: 3, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 52-55 of SEQ ID NO: 3, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 77-82 of SEQ ID NO: 3; covalently or non-covalently linked to b) an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprising a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 23-30 of SEQ ID NO: 1 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 52, 66-68, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 182, 185-187, 198-200, or 219-327, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 52-55 of SEQ ID NO: 1 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 52, 66-68, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 182, 185-187, 198-200, or 219-327, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 77-86 of SEQ ID NO: 15-8, 52, 66-68, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 182, 185-187, 198-200, or 219-327. In some embodiments, the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 of the antibody-like protein dimer comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of amino acid residues corresponding to E9 of SEQ ID NO: 1 through T94 of SEQ ID NO: 1 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 52, 66-68, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 182, 185-187, 198-200, or 219-327. In some embodiments, the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 of the antibody-like protein dimer has an amino acid sequence at least 80, 90, 95, 98, 99, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of amino acid residues corresponding to E9 of SEQ ID NO: 1 through T94 of SEQ ID NO: 1 of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the E/I binder comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, 99, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 20-31, 53-58, 87-92, 98-105, 118-133, 149-154, 164-169, 179-184, 192-197, 205-210 and 211-216.

Preferably, X as defined herein is a naturally occurring amino acid.

In certain embodiments, the E binders, or the E and/or I monomers of the E/I binders described herein may contain a Ser to Cys amino acid substitution at a position corresponding to serine 62 or serine 91 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In certain aspects, the disclosure provides short peptide sequences that mediate EGFR binding. Examples of such sequences include the amino acid residues that correspond to the BC, DE, and FG loops from SEQ ID NOs: 5, 7, 82, 106, 112, 141, 156, 171, 186 and 199. Other examples of such sequences include the amino acid residues that correspond to the BC, DE, and FG loops from SEQ ID NOs: 219-327. In some embodiments, the peptides bind to their respective ligand with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of less than 500 nM, 100 nM, 50 nM, 5 nM or less. Such sequences may mediate ligand binding in an isolated form or when inserted into a particular protein structure, such as an immunoglobulin or immunoglobulin-like domain.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein dimer comprises a polypeptide having the structure A-B-C, wherein A is a polypeptide comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR, B is a polypeptide linker, and C is a polypeptide comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR. In another embodiment, a antibody-like protein dimer comprises a polypeptide having the structure A-B-C, wherein A is a polypeptide comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR, B is a polypeptide linker, and C is a polypeptide comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR. Specific examples of antibody-like protein dimers having the structure A-B-C are polypeptides comprising (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 20-31, 53-58, 87-92, 98-105, 118-133, 149-154, 164-169, 179-184, 192-197, 205-210 and 211-216, or (ii) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 20-31, 53-58, 87-92, 98-105, 118-133, 149-154, 164-169, 179-184, 192-197, 205-210 and 211-216.

In certain embodiments, the A or C region is a polypeptide comprising a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR; wherein the ¹⁰Fn3 domain has the structure from N-terminus to C-terminus: beta strand A, loop AB, beta strand B, loop BC, beta strand C, loop CD, beta strand D, loop DE, beta strand E, loop EF, beta strand F, loop FG, beta strand G; wherein: (i) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or 34, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35 or 36, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37 or 38, (ii) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39 or 40, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 or 42, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43 or 44, (iii) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59 or 60, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 or 62, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63 or 64, (iv) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 109 or 134, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 110 or 135, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111 or 136, (v) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 115 or 137, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 116 or 138, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 117 or 139, (vi) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143 or 146, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144 or 147, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 145 or 148, (vii) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 158 or 161, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 159 or 162, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 160 or 163, (viii) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173 or 176, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174 or 177, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 175 or 178, (ix) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 188 or 190, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 189 or 191, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 117 or 139, (x) the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 201 or 203, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 110 or 135, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 202 or 204, or (xi) the BC, DE and FG loops have the amino acid sequences as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 219-327 (see e.g., FIG. 45 wherein the BC, DE and FG loops for each of SEQ ID NOs: 219-327 are underlined); wherein the ¹⁰Fn3 domain folds into an antibody heavy chain variable region-like structure; and wherein the polypeptide binds to EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 100 nM. The ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR preferably folds into a structure wherein the 7 beta strands are distributed between two beta sheets that pack against each other forming a stable core and wherein the beta strands are connected by the six loops which are solvent exposed. In exemplary embodiments, the ¹⁰Fn3 domain is from 80-150 amino acids in length.

In exemplary embodiments, the A or C region is a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 100 nM having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 83-85 and 466-472 as set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 83) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWVAGAEDYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PH DLVTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) TDMMHVEYTEHPX_(a6) ISINYRT; (SEQ ID NO: 84) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWDSGRGSYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PG PVHTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) TDHKPHADGPHTYHESPX_(a6) ISIN YRT; or (SEQ ID NO: 85) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWLPGKLRYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PH DLRTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) TNMMHVEYSEYPX_(a6) ISINYRT. (SEQ ID NO: 466) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWHERDGSRQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PG GVRTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) IDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTPX_(a6) ISIN YRT. (SEQ ID NO: 467) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWWAPVDRYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PR DVYTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) IDYKPHADGPHTYHESPX_(a6) INYR T. (SEQ ID NO: 468) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWTQGSTHYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PG MVYTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) TDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTPX_(a6) INYR T. (SEQ ID NO: 469) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWYWEGLPYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PR DVNTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) TDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIPX_(a6) INYR T. (SEQ ID NO: 470) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWASNRGTYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PG GVSTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) TDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTPX_(a6) ISIN YRT. (SEQ ID NO: 471) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWDAPTSRYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PG GLSTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) TDYKPHADGPHTYHESPX_(a6) ISIN YRT. (SEQ ID NO: 472) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWDAGAVTYQX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PG GVRTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) IDYKPHADGPHTYHEYPX_(a6) ISIN YRT. In SEQ ID NOs: 83-85 and 466-472, the BC, DE and FG loops have a fixed sequence as shown in bold, or a sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequences shown in bold, the AB loop is represented by X_(n1), the CD is represented by X_(n2), and EF loop is represented by X_(n3), and the beta strands A-G are underlined. X represents any amino acid and the subscript following the X represents an integer of the number of amino acids. In particular, n1 may be anywhere from 1-15, 2-15, 1-10, 2-10, 1-8, 2-8, 1-5, 2-5, 1-4, 2-4, 1-3, 2-3, or 1-2 amino acids; n2 and n3 may each independently be anywhere from 2-20, 2-15, 2-10, 2-8, 5-20, 5-15, 5-10, 5-8, 6-20, 6-15, 6-10, 6-8, 2-7, 5-7, or 6-7 amino acids; and a1-a6 may each independently comprise from 0-10, 0-5, 1-10, 1-5, or 2-5 amino acids. In preferred embodiments, n1 is 2 amino acids, n2 is 7 amino acids, n3 is 7 amino acids, and a1-a6 is 0 amino acids. The sequences of the beta strands may have anywhere from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, deletions or additions across all 7 scaffold regions relative to the corresponding amino acids shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. In an exemplary embodiment, the sequences of the beta strands may have anywhere from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 conservative substitutions across all 7 scaffold regions relative to the corresponding amino acids shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. In certain embodiments, the core amino acid residues are fixed and any substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions occur at residues other than the core amino acid residues. In certain embodiments, the EGFR binder is represented by one of the following amino acid sequences:

(SEQ ID NO: 66) EVVAATPTSLLISW VAGAEDYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP H DLV TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DMMHVEYTEH PISINYRT; (SEQ ID NO: 67) EVVAATPTSLLISW DSGRGSYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP G PVH TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DHKPHADGPHTYHES PISIN YRT; (SEQ ID NO: 68) EVVAATPTSLLISW LPGKLRYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP H DLR TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT NMMHVEYSEY PISINYRT; (SEQ ID NO: 108) EVVAATPTSLLISW HERDGSRQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP G GVR TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DYFNPTTHEYIYQTT PISIN YRT; or (SEQ ID NO: 114) EVVAATPTSLLISW WAPVDRYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP R DVY TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DYKPHADGPHTYHES PISIN YRT. (SEQ ID NO: 141) EVVAATPTSLLISW TQGSTHYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP G MVY TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DYFDRSTHEYKYRTT PISIN YRT (SEQ ID NO: 156) EVVAATPTSLLISW YWEGLPYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP R DVN TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DWYNPDTHEYIYHTI PISIN YRT (SEQ ID NO: 171) EVVAATPTSLLISW ASNRGTYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP G GVS TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DAFNPTTHEYNYFTT PISIN YRT (SEQ ID NO: 186) EVVAATPTSLLISW DAPTSRYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP G GLS TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DYKPHADGPHTYHES PISIN YRT E112 (SEQ ID NO: 199) EVVAATPTSLLISW DAGAVTYQ YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP G GVR TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT DYKPHADGPHTYHEY PISIN YRT In SEQ ID NOs: 66-68, 108, 114, 141, 156, 171, 186 and 199, the sequence of the BC, DE and FG loops have a fixed sequence as shown in bold, or a sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequences shown in bold, and the remaining sequence which is underlined (e.g., the sequence of the 7 beta strands and the AB, CD and EF loops) has anywhere from 0 to 20, from 0 to 15, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions relative to the corresponding amino acids shown in SEQ ID NO: 66-68, 108, 114, 141, 156, 171, 186 and 199. In certain embodiments, the core amino acid residues are fixed and any substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions occur at residues other than the core amino acid residues. The ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR may optionally comprise an N-terminal extension of from 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 1-8, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, or 1 amino acids in length. Exemplary N-terminal extensions include (represented by the single letter amino acid code) M, MG, G, MGVSDVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 69), GVSDVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 70), and VSDVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 71), or N-terminal truncations of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 69, 70, or 71. Other suitable N-terminal extensions include, for example, X_(n)SDVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 72), X_(n)DVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 73), X_(n)VPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 74), X_(n)PRDL (SEQ ID NO: 75), X_(n)RDL (SEQ ID NO: 76), X_(n)DL (SEQ ID NO: 77), or X_(n)L, wherein n=0, 1 or 2 amino acids, wherein when n=1, X is Met or Gly, and when n=2, X is Met-Gly. The ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR may optionally comprise a C-terminal tail. Exemplary C-terminal tails include polypeptides that are from 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 1-8, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, or 1 amino acids in length. Specific examples of C-terminal tails include EIDKPSQ (SEQ ID NO: 9), EIDKPCQ (SEQ ID NO: 10), and EIDK (SEQ ID NO: 78). In other embodiments, suitable C-terminal tails may be a C-terminally truncated fragment of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10 or 78, including, for example, one of the following amino acid sequences (represented by the single letter amino acid code): E, EI, EID, EIDKP (SEQ ID NO: 79), EIDKPS (SEQ ID NO: 80), or EIDKPC (SEQ ID NO: 81). Other suitable C-terminal tails include, for example, ES, EC, EGS, EGC, EGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 96), EGSGC (SEQ ID NO: 97), or EIEK (SEQ ID NO: 217). In certain embodiments, the ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR comprises both an N-terminal extension and a C-terminal tail. In exemplary embodiments, the A region comprises an N-terminal extension beginning with Gly or Met-Gly and a C-terminal extension that does not contain a cysteine residue and the B region comprises an N-terminal extension that does not start with a Met and a C-terminal extension that comprises a cysteine residue. Specific examples of ¹⁰Fn3 domains that bind to EGFR are polypeptides comprising (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 52, 66-68, 82-85, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 185-187, 198-200, and 219-327, or (ii) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 52, 66-68, 82-85, 106-108, 112-114, 140-142, 155-157, 170-172, 185-187, 198-200, and 219-327.

In certain embodiments, the A or C region is a polypeptide comprising a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR, wherein the ¹⁰Fn3 domain has the structure from N-terminus to C-terminus: beta strand A, loop AB, beta strand B, loop BC, beta strand C, loop CD, beta strand D, loop DE, beta strand E, loop EF, beta strand F, loop FG, beta strand G, wherein the BC loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45 or 46, the DE loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47 or 48, and the FG loop has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49 or 50, wherein the ¹⁰Fn3 domain folds into an antibody heavy chain variable region-like structure, and wherein the polypeptide binds to IGF-IR with a K_(D) of less than 100 nM. The ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR preferably folds into a structure wherein the 7 beta strands are distributed between two beta sheets that pack against each other forming a stable core and wherein the beta strands are connected by the six loops which are solvent exposed. In exemplary embodiments, the ¹⁰Fn3 domain is from 80-150 amino acids in length.

In exemplary embodiments, the A or C region is a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR with a K_(D) of less than 100 nM having the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 86) EVVAATX_(n1) SLLIX_(a1) SWSARLKVARX_(a2) YYRITYGEX_(n2) QEFTVX_(a3) PK NVYTX_(a4) ATIX_(n3) DYTITVYAVX_(a5) TRFRDYQPX_(a6) INYRT. In SEQ ID NO: 86, the BC, DE and FG loops have a fixed sequence as shown in bold, or a sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequences shown in bold, the AB loop is represented by X_(n1), the CD loop is represented by X_(n2), and the EF loop is represented by X_(n3), and the beta strands A-G are underlined. X represents any amino acid and the subscript following the X represents an integer of the number of amino acids. In particular, n1 may be anywhere from 1-15, 2-15, 1-10, 2-10, 1-8, 2-8, 1-5, 2-5, 1-4, 2-4, 1-3, 2-3, or 1-2 amino acids; n2 and n3 may each independently be anywhere from 2-20, 2-15, 2-10, 2-8, 5-20, 5-15, 5-10, 5-8, 6-20, 6-15, 6-10, 6-8, 2-7, 5-7, or 6-7 amino acids; and a1-a6 may each independently comprise from 0-10, 0-5, 1-10, 1-5, or 2-5 amino acids. In preferred embodiments, n1 is 2 amino acids, n2 is 7 amino acids, n3 is 7 amino acids, and a1-a6 is 0 amino acids. The sequences of the beta strands may have anywhere from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, deletions or additions across all 7 scaffold regions relative to the corresponding amino acids shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. In an exemplary embodiment, the sequences of the beta strands may have anywhere from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 conservative substitutions across all 7 scaffold regions relative to the corresponding amino acids shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. In certain embodiments, the core amino acid residues are fixed and any substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions occur at residues other than the core amino acid residues. In certain embodiments, the IGF-IR binder is represented by the following amino acid sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 65) EVVAATPTSLLISW SARLKVA RYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVP K NVY TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT RFRDYQ PISINYRT. In SEQ ID NO: 65, the sequence of the BC, DE and FG loops have a fixed sequence as shown in bold, or a sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequences shown in bold, and the remaining sequence which is underlined (e.g., the sequence of the 7 beta strands and the AB, CD and EF loops) has anywhere from 0 to 20, from 0 to 15, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 6, from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1 substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions relative to the corresponding amino acids shown in SEQ ID NO: 65. In certain embodiments, the core amino acid residues are fixed and any substitutions, conservative substitutions, deletions or additions occur at residues other than the core amino acid residues. The ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR may optionally comprise an N-terminal extension of from 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 1-8, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, or 1 amino acids in length. Exemplary N-terminal extensions include (represented by the single letter amino acid code) M, MG, G, MGVSDVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 69), GVSDVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 70), and VSDVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 71), or N-terminal truncations of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 69, 70, or 71. Other suitable N-terminal extensions include, for example, X_(n)SDVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 72), X_(n)DVPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 73), X_(n)VPRDL (SEQ ID NO: 74), X_(n)PRDL (SEQ ID NO: 75), X_(n)RDL (SEQ ID NO: 76), X_(n)DL (SEQ ID NO: 77), or X_(n)L, wherein n=0, 1 or 2 amino acids, wherein when n=1, X is Met or Gly, and when n=2, X is Met-Gly. The ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR may optionally comprise a C-terminal tail. Exemplary C-terminal tails include polypeptides that are from 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 1-8, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, or 1 amino acids in length. Specific examples of C-terminal tails include EIDKPSQ (SEQ ID NO: 9), EIDKPCQ (SEQ ID NO: 10), and EIDK (SEQ ID NO: 78). In other embodiments, suitable C-terminal tails may be a C-terminally truncated fragment of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10 or 78, including, for example, one of the following amino acid sequences (represented by the single letter amino acid code): E, EI, EID, EIDKP (SEQ ID NO: 79), EIDKPS (SEQ ID NO: 80), or EIDKPC (SEQ ID NO: 81). Other suitable C-terminal tails include, for example, ES, EC, EGS, EGC, EGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 96), EGSGC (SEQ ID NO: 97), or EIEK (SEQ ID NO: 217). In certain embodiments, the ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR comprises both an N-terminal extension and a C-terminal tail. In exemplary embodiments, the A region comprises an N-terminal extension beginning with Gly or Met-Gly and a C-terminal extension that does not contain a cysteine residue and the B region comprises an N-terminal extension that does not start with a Met and a C-terminal extension that comprises a cysteine residue. Specific examples of ¹⁰Fn3 domains that bind to IGF-IR are polypeptides comprising (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 4, 65 or 86, or (ii) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 4, 65 or 86.

The B region is a linker as described further herein. In exemplary embodiments, the B region is a polypeptide linker. Exemplary polypeptide linkers include polypeptides having from 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 1-8, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, or 1-2 amino acids. Specific examples of suitable polypeptide linkers are described further herein and include, for example, linkers having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 11-19, 51, 93-95 and 218. In certain embodiments, the linker may be a C-terminal tail polypeptide as described herein, an N-terminal extension polypeptide as described herein, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, an antibody-like protein dimer comprises a polypeptide having the structure X₁-A-X₂-B-X₃-C-X₄, wherein X₁ is an optional N-terminal extension, A is a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR, X₂ is an optional C-terminal tail, B is a polypeptide linker, X₃ is an optional N-terminal extension, C is a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR, and X₄ is an optional C-terminal tail. In another embodiment, an antibody-like protein dimer comprises a polypeptide having the structure X₁-A-X₂-B-X₃-C-X₄, wherein X₁ is an optional N-terminal extension, A is a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to IGF-IR, X₂ is an optional C-terminal tail, B is a polypeptide linker, X₃ is an optional N-terminal extension, C is a ¹⁰Fn3 domain that binds to EGFR, and X₄ is an optional C-terminal tail. Specific examples of suitable N-terminal extensions and C-terminal tails are described above. In certain embodiments, one or more of X₁, X₂, B, X₃ or X₄ may comprise an amino acid residue suitable for pegylation, such as a cysteine or lysine residue. In exemplary embodiments, X₄ comprises at least one amino acid suitable for pegylation, such as a cysteine or lysine residue. Specific examples of suitable polypeptide linkers are described further below. Specific examples of antibody-like protein dimers having the structure X₁-A-X₂-B-X₃-C-X₄ are polypeptides comprising (i) a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 20-31, 53-58, 87-92, 98-105, 118-133, 149-154, 164-169, 179-184, 192-197, 205-210 and 211-216, or (ii) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 20-31, 53-58, 87-92, 98-105, 118-133, 149-154, 164-169, 179-184, 192-197, 205-210 and 211-216.

In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to tune the potency of one ¹⁰Fn3 binding domain relative to the other ¹⁰Fn3 binding domain in the antibody-like protein dimers described herein. For example, if the binding affinity of the first ¹⁰Fn3 domain is significantly higher than the binding affinity of the second ¹⁰Fn3 domain, the biological effect of the first ¹⁰Fn3 domain could overwhelm the effects of the second of second ¹⁰Fn3 domain. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, it may be desirable for the binding affinities of the first and second ¹⁰Fn3 domains of an antibody-like protein dimer to be similar to each other, e.g., binding affinities within 100-fold, 30-fold, 10-fold, 3-fold, 1-fold, 0.3-fold or 0.1-fold, of each other, or binding affinities within 0.1-fold to 10-fold, within 0.3-fold to 10-fold, within 0.1-fold to 3-fold, within 0.3-fold to 3-fold, within 0.1-fold to 1-fold, within 0.3-fold to 1-fold, within 1-fold to 10-fold, within 3-fold to 10-fold, within 3-fold to 30-fold, or within 1-fold to 3-fold of each other.

Conjugation

Multimers of antibody-like proteins may be covalently or non-covalently linked. In some embodiments, an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 may be directly or indirectly linked to an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 via a polypeptide linker. Suitable linkers for joining Fn3 are those which allow the separate domains to fold independently of each other forming a three dimensional structure that permits high affinity binding to a target molecule.

The disclosure provides a number of suitable linkers that meet these requirements, including glycine-serine based linkers, glycine-proline based linkers, as well as the linker having the amino acid sequence PSTSTST (SEQ ID NO: 12). The Examples described herein demonstrate that Fn3 domains joined via polypeptide linkers retain their target binding function. In some embodiments, the linker is a glycine-serine based linker. These linkers comprise glycine and serine residues and may be between 8 and 50, 10 and 30, and 10 and 20 amino acids in length. Examples include linkers having an amino acid sequence GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 11), GSGSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 13), GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 14), GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 15), GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 16), or GGGGSGGGGSGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 17). In some embodiments, the linker is a glycine-proline based linker. These linkers comprise glycine and proline residues and may be between 3 and 30, 10 and 30, and 3 and 20 amino acids in length. Examples include linkers having an amino acid sequence GPGPGPG (SEQ ID NO: 18), GPGPGPGPGPG (SEQ ID NO: 19), and GPG (SEQ ID NO: 51). In some embodiments, the linker is a proline-alanine based linker. These linkers comprise proline and alanine residues and may be between 3 and 30, 10 and 30, 3 and 20 and 6 and 18 amino acids in length. Examples of such linkers include SEQ ID NOs: 93, 94 and 95. It is contemplated, that the optimal linker length and amino acid composition may be determined by routine experimentation by methods well known in the art.

In some embodiments, multimers of antibody-like proteins are linked via a polypeptide linker having a protease site that is cleavable by a protease in the blood or target tissue. Such embodiments can be used to release two or more therapeutic proteins for better delivery or therapeutic properties or more efficient production compared to separately producing such proteins.

Additional linkers or spacers, e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 9 and 10, may be introduced at the C-terminus of a Fn3 domain between the Fn3 domain and the polypeptide linker. Additional linkers or spacers may be introduced at the N-terminus of a Fn3 domain between the Fn3 domain and the polypeptide linker.

In some embodiments, multimers of antibody-like proteins may be directly or indirectly linked via a polymeric linker. Polymeric linkers can be used to optimally vary the distance between each protein moiety to create a protein with one or more of the following characteristics: 1) reduced or increased steric hindrance of binding of one or more protein domain when binding to a protein of interest, 2) increased protein stability or solubility, 3) decreased protein aggregation, and 4) increased overall avidity or affinity of the protein.

In some embodiments, multimers of antibody-like proteins are linked via a biocompatible polymer such as a polymeric sugar. The polymeric sugar can include an enzymatic cleavage site that is cleavable by an enzyme in the blood or target tissue. Such embodiments can be used to release two or more therapeutic proteins for better delivery or therapeutic properties or more efficient production compared to separately producing such proteins

In some embodiments, multimers of antibody-like proteins are linked via a polyoxyalkylene, in particular a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. Antibody-like proteins may comprise a cysteine containing linker, such as the linker set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10, 81, 97 or 218. PEG may be conjugated to the cysteine moiety in the linker sequence and may operably link the two domains.

Pharmacokinetic Moieties

In one aspect, the disclosure provides E binders and E/I binders further comprising a pharmacokinetic (PK) moiety. In some embodiments, the E/I binder is a multimer of antibody-like proteins, in particular, a dimer of an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3. Improved pharmacokinetics may be assessed according to the perceived therapeutic need. Often it is desirable to increase bioavailability and/or increase the time between doses, possibly by increasing the time that a protein remains available in the serum after dosing. In some instances, it is desirable to improve the continuity of the serum concentration of the protein over time (e.g., decrease the difference in serum concentration of the protein shortly after administration and shortly before the next administration). E binders and E/I binders may be attached to a moiety that reduces the clearance rate of the polypeptide in a mammal (e.g., mouse, rat, or human) by greater than three-fold relative to the unmodified polypeptide. Other measures of improved pharmacokinetics may include serum half-life, which is often divided into an alpha phase and a beta phase. Either or both phases may be improved significantly by addition of an appropriate moiety.

Moieties that tend to slow clearance of a protein from the blood include polyoxyalkylene moieties (e.g., polyethylene glycol); sugars (e.g., sialic acid); and well-tolerated protein moieties (e.g., Fc, Fc fragments, transferrin, or serum albumin).

In some embodiments, the PK moiety is a serum albumin binding protein such as those described in U.S. Publication Nos. 2007/0178082 and 2007/0269422.

In some embodiments, the PK moiety is a serum immunoglobulin binding protein such as those described in U.S. Publication No. 2007/0178082.

In some embodiments, the PK moiety is polyethylene glycol (PEG).

The serum clearance rate of a PK-modified antibody-like protein multimer may be decreased by about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or even 90%, relative to the clearance rate of the unmodified E/I binders. The PK-modified multimer may have a half-life (t112) which is enhanced relative to the half-life of the unmodified multimer. The half-life of PK-binding polypeptide may be enhanced by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, 250%, 300%, 400% or 500%, or even by 1000% relative to the half-life of the unmodified multimer. In some embodiments, the multimer half-life is determined in vitro, such as in a buffered saline solution or in serum. In other embodiments, the multimer half-life is an in vivo half life, such as the half-life of the multimer in the serum or other bodily fluid of an animal.

In some embodiments, a PK moiety is linked to an antibody-like protein multimer via at least one disulfide bond, a peptide bond, a polypeptide, a polymeric sugar, or a polyethylene glycol moiety. Exemplary polypeptide linkers include PSTSTST (SEQ ID NO: 12), EIDKPSQ (SEQ ID NO: 9), and GS linkers, such as GSGSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 13) and multimers thereof.

Binding/Screening

The disclosure provides E binders and E/I binders, in particular, antibody-like protein multimers such as a dimer of an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3. Binding to EGFR or IGFIR may be assessed in terms of equilibrium constants (e.g., dissociation, K_(D)) and in terms of kinetic constants (e.g., on rate constant, k_(on) and off rate constant, k_(off)). In some embodiments, an antibody-like protein monomer or multimer will bind to EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM, 100 nM, 50 nM, 5 nM or less. In some embodiments, an antibody-like protein multimer will bind to IGFIR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM, 100 nM, 50 nM, 5 nM or less. Higher K_(D) values may be tolerated where the k_(off) is sufficiently low or the k_(on) is sufficiently high.

E binders and E/I binders may bind to any part of EGFR, including the extracellular domain of a EGFR, in particular the ligand binding domain of EGFR. Binding of E binders and E/I binders to EGFR may disrupt the interaction of EGFR with one or more ligands, including TGF-alpha and EGF, and/or disrupt receptor dimerization. In some embodiments, E binders and E/I binders compete with an anti-EGFR antibody for binding to EGFR. The anti-EGFR antibody may be selected from any known anti-EGFR antibody including panitumumab (Amgen), nimotuzumab (YM Biosciences), zalutumumab (Genmab), EMD72000 (Merck KGaA), and cetuximab (ImClone Systems).

In some embodiments, E binders and E/I binders inhibit downstream signaling of EGFR. EGFR ligand binding leads to homo- or heterodimeric receptor dimerization with EGFR or another HER family member. Dimerization promotes receptor autophosphorylation, which in turn leads to the activation of several signaling pathways.

E/I binders may bind to any part of IGFIR, including the extracellular domain of a IGFIR, in particular the ligand binding domain of IGFIR. Binding of E/I binders to IGFIR may disrupt the interaction of IGFIR with one or more ligands, e.g., IGF-I and IGF-II; and/or disrupt assembly of receptor heterotetramers. In some embodiments, E/I binders compete with an anti-IGFIR antibody for binding to IGFIR. The anti-IGFIR antibody may be selected from any known anti-IGFIR antibody.

In some embodiments, E/I binders inhibit downstream signaling of IGFIR. The IGF-I receptor is composed of two types of subunits: an alpha subunit (a 130-135 kDa protein that is entirely extracellular and functions in ligand binding) and a beta subunit (a 95-kDa transmembrane protein, with transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains). IGFIR is initially synthesized as a single chain proreceptor polypeptide that is processed by glycosylation, proteolytic cleavage, and covalent bonding to assemble into a mature 460-kDa heterotetramer comprising two alpha-subunits and two beta-subunits. The beta subunit(s) possesses ligand-activated tyrosine kinase activity.

EGFR and IGFIR receptor signaling independently activates the MAPK pathway, including the phosphorylation of MEK. Another activated pathway is the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, including phosphorylation of AKT. Receptor signaling is transduced to the nucleus, resulting in the activation of various transcription factors.

Screening assays may be designed to identify and characterize E binders and E/I binders. Binding assays, such as surface plasmon resonance and ELISA, and assays that detect activated signaling pathways are well-known in the art, see e.g., Example 5. Various antibodies, including many that are commercially available, have been produced which specifically bind to phosphorylated, activated isoforms of EGFR and IGFIR, see e.g., Examples 6 and 7. Downstream signaling events may also be used as an indicator of receptor inhibition, such as by measuring levels of AKT phosphorylation, see e.g., Example 8. Cell proliferation assays are also a useful method for characterizing the ability of candidate E/I binders to bind and inhibit EGFR and IGFIR signaling, see e.g., Example 9.

Polymer Conjugation

Conjugation to a biocompatible polymer may be used to link antibody-like protein multimers and/or to improve the pharmacokinetics of the proteins. The identity, size and structure of the polymer is selected so as to improve the circulation half-life of the multimer or decrease the antigenicity of the multimer without an unacceptable decrease in activity.

Examples of polymers useful in the invention include, but are not limited to, poly(alkylene glycols) such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). The polymer is not limited to a particular structure and can be linear (e.g., alkoxy PEG or bifunctional PEG), or non-linear such as branched, forked, multi-armed (e.g., PEGs attached to a polyol core), and dendritic.

Typically, PEG and other water-soluble polymers (i.e., polymeric reagents) are activated with a suitable activating group appropriate for coupling to a desired site on the polypeptide. Thus, a polymeric reagent will possess a reactive group for reaction with the polypeptide. Representative polymeric reagents and methods for conjugating these polymers to an active moiety are well-known in the art and further described in Zalipsky, S., et al., “Use of Functionalized Poly(Ethylene Glycols) for Modification of Polypeptides” in Polyethylene Glycol Chemistry: Biotechnical and Biomedical Applications, J. M. Harris, Plenus Press, New York (1992), and in Zalipsky (1995) Advanced Drug Reviews 16: 157-182.

Typically, the weight-average molecular weight of the polymer is from about 100 Daltons to about 150,000 Daltons. Exemplary weight-average molecular weights for the biocompatible polymer include about 20,000 Daltons, about 40,000 Daltons, about 60,000 Daltons and about 80,000 Daltons. Branched versions of the biocompatible polymer having a total molecular weight of any of the foregoing can also be used.

In some embodiments, the polymer is PEG. PEG is a well-known, water soluble polymer that is commercially available or can be prepared by ring-opening polymerization of ethylene glycol according to methods well known in the art (Sandler and Karo, Polymer Synthesis, Academic Press, New York, Vol. 3, pages 138-161). The term “PEG” is used broadly to encompass any polyethylene glycol molecule, without regard to size or to modification at an end of the PEG, and can be represented by the formula: X—O(CH₂CH₂O)_(n-1)CH₂CH₂OH, where n is 20 to 2300 and X is H or a terminal modification, e.g., a Ci-4 alkyl. PEG can contain further chemical groups which are necessary for binding reactions, which result from the chemical synthesis of the molecule; or which act as a spacer for optimal distance of parts of the molecule. In addition, such a PEG can consist of one or more PEG side-chains which are linked together. PEGs with more than one PEG chain are called multiarmed or branched PEGs. Branched PEG are described in, for example, European Published Application No. 473084A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,462.

To effect covalent attachment of the polymer molecule(s) to a polypeptide, the hydroxyl end groups of the polymer molecule must be provided in activated form, i.e. with reactive functional groups. Suitably activated polymer molecules are commercially available, e.g. from Nektar Therapeutics, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., USA; PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc, UK; or SunBio Corporation, Anyang City, South Korea. Alternatively, the polymer molecules can be activated by conventional methods known in the art, e.g. as disclosed in WO 90/13540. Specific examples of activated PEG polymers include the following linear PEGs: NHS-PEG, SPA-PEG, SSPA-PEG, SBA-PEG, SS-PEG, SSA-PEG, SC-PEG, SG-PEG, SCM-PEG, NOR-PEG, BTC-PEG, EPDX-PEG, NCO-PEG, NPC-PEG, CDI-PEG, ALD-PEG, TRES-PEG, VS-PEG, OPSS-PEG, IODO-PEG, and MAL-PEG, and branched PEGs, such as PEG2-NHS, PEG2-MAL, and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,462 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,575, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments where PEG molecules are conjugated to cysteine residues on an antibody-like protein multimer, the cysteine residues are native to the protein, whereas in other embodiments, one or more cysteine residues are engineered into the protein. Mutations may be introduced into a protein coding sequence to generate cysteine residues. This might be achieved, for example, by mutating one or more amino acid residues to cysteine. Preferred amino acids for mutating to a cysteine residue include serine, threonine, alanine and other hydrophilic residues. Preferably, the residue to be mutated to cysteine is a surface-exposed residue. Algorithms are well-known in the art for predicting surface accessibility of residues based on primary sequence or a protein. Alternatively, surface residues may be predicted by comparing the amino acid sequences of binding polypeptides, given that the crystal structure of the framework based on which binding polypeptides are designed and evolved has been solved (see Himanen et al., Nature. (2001) 20-27; 414(6866):933-8) and thus the surface-exposed residues identified. In some embodiments, cysteine residues are introduced into antibody-like protein multimers at or near the N- and/or C-terminus, or within loop regions. Pegylation of cysteine residues may be carried out using, for example, PEG-maleiminde, PEG-vinylsulfone, PEG-iodoacetamide, or PEG-orthopyridyl disulfide.

In some embodiments, the pegylated antibody-like protein multimer comprises a PEG molecule covalently attached to the alpha amino group of the N-terminal amino acid. Site specific N-terminal reductive amination is described in Pepinsky et al., (2001) JPET, 297,1059, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,784. The use of a PEG-aldehyde for the reductive amination of a protein utilizing other available nucleophilic amino groups is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,531, in Wieder et al., (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254,12579, and in Chamow et al., (1994) Bioconjugate Chem. 5, 133.

In another embodiment, pegylated antibody-like protein multimer comprises one or more PEG molecules covalently attached to a linker, which in turn is attached to the alpha amino group of the amino acid residue at the N-terminus of the binding polypeptide. Such an approach is disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2002/0044921 and PCT Publication No. WO 94/01451.

In some embodiments, an antibody-like protein multimer is pegylated at the C-terminus. A protein may be pegylated at the C-terminus by the introduction of C-terminal azido-methionine and the subsequent conjugation of a methyl-PEG-triarylphosphine compound via the Staudinger reaction. This C-terminal conjugation method is described in Cazalis et al., C-Terminal Site-Specific PEGylation of a Truncated Thrombomodulin Mutant with Retention of Full Bioactivity, Bioconjug Chem. 2004; 15(5):1005-1009.

Conventional separation and purification techniques known in the art can be used to purify PEGylated antibody-like protein multimers, such as size exclusion (e.g., gel filtration) and ion exchange chromatography. Products may also be separated using SDS-PAGE. Products that may be separated include mono-, di-, tri-, poly- and un-pegylated binding polypeptide, as well as free PEG. The percentage of mono-PEG conjugates can be controlled by pooling broader fractions around the elution peak to increase the percentage of mono-PEG in the composition. About ninety percent mono-PEG conjugates represents a good balance of yield and activity.

In some embodiments, the pegylated antibody-like protein multimers will preferably retain at least about 25%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100% of the biological activity associated with the unmodified protein. In some embodiments, biological activity refers to its ability to bind to EGFR and IGFIR, as assessed by K_(D), k_(on) or k_(off). In some embodiments, the pegylated antibody-like protein multimer shows an increase in binding to EGFR and/or IGFIR relative to unpegylated protein.

Deimmunization of Binding Polypeptides

The amino acid sequences of E binders and E/I binders, in particular, antibody-like protein multimers, such as a dimer of an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3, may be altered to eliminate one or more B- or T-cell epitopes. A protein, or a multimer of proteins, may be deimmunized to render it non-immunogenic, or less immunogenic, to a given species. Deimmunization can be achieved through structural alterations to the protein. Any deimmunization technique known to those skilled in the art can be employed, see e.g., WO 00/34317, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the sequences of the E binders and E/I binders can be analyzed for the presence of MHC class II binding motifs. For example, a comparison may be made with databases of MHC-binding motifs such as, for example by searching the “motifs” database on the worldwide web at sitewehil.wehi.edu.au. Alternatively, MHC class II binding peptides may be identified using computational threading methods such as those devised by Altuvia et al. (J. Mol. Biol. 249 244-250 (1995)) whereby consecutive overlapping peptides from the polypeptide are testing for their binding energies to MHC class II proteins. Computational binding prediction algorithms include iTope™, Tepitope, SYFPEITHI, EpiMatrix (EpiVax), and MHCpred. In order to assist the identificationof MHC class II-binding peptides, associated sequence features which relate to successfully presented peptides such as amphipathicity and Rothbard motifs, and cleavage sites for cathepsin B and other processing enzymes can be searched for.

Having identified potential (e.g. human) T-cell epitopes, these epitopes are then eliminated by alteration of one or more amino acids, as required to eliminate the T-cell epitope. Usually, this will involve alteration of one or more amino acids within the T-cell epitope itself. This could involve altering an amino acid adjacent the epitope in terms of the primary structure of the protein or one which is not adjacent in the primary structure but is adjacent in the secondary structure of the molecule. The usual alteration contemplated will be amino acid substitution, but it is possible that in certain circumstances amino acid addition or deletion will be appropriate. All alterations can be accomplished by recombinant DNA technology, so that the final molecule may be prepared by expression from a recombinant host, for example by well established methods, but the use of protein chemistry or any other means of molecular alteration may also be used.

Once identified T-cell epitopes are removed, the deimmunized sequence may be analyzed again to ensure that new T-cell epitopes have not been created and, if they have, the epitope(s) can be deleted.

Not all T-cell epitopes identified computationally need to be removed. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the significance of the “strength” or rather potential immunogenicity of particular epitopes. The various computational methods generate scores for potential epitopes. A person skilled in the art will recognize that only the high scoring epitopes may need to be removed. A skilled person will also recognize that there is a balance between removing potential epitopes and maintaining binding affinity of the protein. Therefore, one strategy is to sequentially introduce substitutions into the protein and then test for antigen binding and immunogenicity.

In one aspect, the deimmunized protein is less immunogenic (or rather, elicits a reduced HAMA response) than the original protein in a human subject. Assays to determine immunogenicity are well within the knowledge of the skilled person. Art-recognized methods of determining immune response can be performed to monitor a HAMA response in a particular subject or during clinical trials. Subjects administered deimmunized protein can be given an immunogenicity assessment at the beginning and throughout the administration of said therapy. The HAMA response is measured, for example, by detecting antibodies to the deimmunized protein in serum samples from the subject using a method known to one in the art, including surface plasmon resonance technology (BIAcore) and/or solid-phase ELISA analysis. Alternatively, in vitro assays designed to measure a T-cell activation event are also indicative of immunogenicity.

Additional Modifications

In certain embodiments, E binders and E/I binders, in particular, antibody-like protein multimers such as a dimer of an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3, may further comprise post-translational modifications. Exemplary post-translational protein modification include phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, ADP-ribosylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, carbonylation, sumoylation, biotinylation or addition of a polypeptide side chain or of a hydrophobic group. As a result, the modified E binders and E/I binders may contain non-amino acid elements, such as lipids, poly- or mono-saccharide, and phosphates. A preferred form of glycosylation is sialylation, which conjugates one or more sialic acid moieties to the polypeptide. Sialic acid moieties improve solubility and serum half-life while also reducing the possible immunogenicity of the protein. See, e.g., Raju et al. Biochemistry. 2001 Jul. 31; 40(30):8868-76. Effects of such non-amino acid elements on the functionality of an E binder or E/I binder may be tested for its antagonizing role in EGFR and IGFIR signaling function.

In some embodiments, E binders and E/I binders are modified to enhance antigen-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and/or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). In some embodiments, the E/I binder is a dimer of an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3, further comprising an Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc region is a variant that enhances ADCC or CDC. The Fc region variant may comprise a human Fc region sequence (e.g., a human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 Fc region) comprising an amino acid modification (e.g., a substitution) at one or more amino acid positions, including positions 256, 290, 298, 312, 326, 330, 333, 334, 360, 378 or 430, wherein the numbering of the residues in the Fc region is that of the EU index as in Kabat.

Vectors & Polynucleotides Embodiments

Also included in the present disclosure are nucleic acid sequences encoding any of the proteins described herein. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, because of third base degeneracy, almost every amino acid can be represented by more than one triplet codon in a coding nucleotide sequence. In addition, minor base pair changes may result in a conservative substitution in the amino acid sequence encoded but are not expected to substantially alter the biological activity of the gene product. Therefore, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein described herein may be modified slightly in sequence and yet still encode its respective gene product.

Exemplary nucleic acids encoding the E/I binders described herein include nucleic acids having SEQ ID NOs: 442-465 or nucleic acids having a sequence at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 442-465. Isolated nucleic acids which differ from the nucleic acids as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 442-465 due to degeneracy in the genetic code are also within the scope of the invention. Also provided are E/I binders comprising an I monomer encoded by a nucleotide sequence at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 328 and/or E/I binders comprising an E monomer encoded by a nucleotide sequence at 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 329-441 or 495. Also provided are E binders encoded by a nucleotide sequence at 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 329-441 or 495. In certain embodiments, the nucleotide sequences encoding the E/I binders, an E monomer, or an I monomer do not contain a sequence encoding a 6×His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487).

Nucleic acids encoding any of the various proteins or polypeptides disclosed herein may be synthesized chemically. Codon usage may be selected so as to improve expression in a cell. Such codon usage will depend on the cell type selected. Specialized codon usage patterns have been developed for E. coli and other bacteria, as well as mammalian cells, plant cells, yeast cells and insect cells. See for example: Mayfield et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2003 100(2):438-42; Sinclair et al. Protein Expr Purif. 2002 (1):96-105; Connell N D. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2001 (5):446-9; Makrides et al. Microbiol Rev. 1996 60(3):512-38; and Sharp et al. Yeast. 1991 7(7):657-78.

General techniques for nucleic acid manipulation are within the purview of one skilled in the art and are also described for example in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2 ed., 1989, or F. Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Green Publishing and Wiley-Interscience: New York, 1987) and periodic updates, herein incorporated by reference. The DNA encoding a protein is operably linked to suitable transcriptional or translational regulatory elements derived from mammalian, viral, or insect genes. Such regulatory elements include a transcriptional promoter, an optional operator sequence to control transcription, a sequence encoding suitable mRNA ribosomal binding sites, and sequences that control the termination of transcription and translation. The ability to replicate in a host, usually conferred by an origin of replication, and a selection gene to facilitate recognition of transformants are additionally incorporated. Suitable regulatory elements are well-known in the art.

The proteins described herein may be produced as a fusion protein with a heterologous polypeptide, which is preferably a signal sequence or other polypeptide having a specific cleavage site at the N-terminus of the mature protein or polypeptide. The heterologous signal sequence selected preferably is one that is recognized and processed (i.e., cleaved by a signal peptidase) by the host cell. For prokaryotic host cells that do not recognize and process a native signal sequence, the signal sequence is substituted by a prokaryotic signal sequence selected, for example, from the group of the alkaline phosphatase, penicillinase, lpp, or heat-stable enterotoxin II leaders. For yeast secretion, the native signal sequence may be substituted by, e.g., the yeast invertase leader, a factor leader (including Saccharomyces and Kluyveromyces alpha-factor leaders), or acid phosphatase leader, the C. albicans glucoamylase leader, or the signal described in PCT Publication No. WO 90/13646. In mammalian cell expression, mammalian signal sequences as well as viral secretory leaders, for example, the herpes simplex gD signal, are available. The DNA for such precursor regions may be ligated in reading frame to DNA encoding the protein.

Expression vectors used in eukaryotic host cells (e.g., yeast, fungi, insect, plant, animal, human, or nucleated cells from other multicellular organisms) will also contain sequences necessary for the termination of transcription and for stabilizing the mRNA. Such sequences are commonly available from the 5′ and, occasionally 3′, untranslated regions of eukaryotic or viral DNAs or cDNAs. These regions contain nucleotide segments transcribed as polyadenylated fragments in the untranslated portion of the mRNA encoding the multivalent antibody. One useful transcription termination component is the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation region. See PCT Publication No. WO 94/11026 and the expression vector disclosed therein.

The recombinant DNA can also include any type of protein tag sequence that may be useful for purifying the protein. Examples of protein tags include but are not limited to a histidine tag, a FLAG tag, a myc tag, an HA tag, or a GST tag. Appropriate cloning and expression vectors for use with bacterial, fungal, yeast, and mammalian cellular hosts can be found in Cloning Vectors: A Laboratory Manual, (Elsevier, New York, 1985), the relevant disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The expression construct is introduced into the host cell using a method appropriate to the host cell, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art. A variety of methods for introducing nucleic acids into host cells are known in the art, including, but not limited to, electroporation; transfection employing calcium chloride, rubidium chloride, calcium phosphate, DEAE-dextran, or other substances; microprojectile bombardment; lipofection; and infection (where the vector is an infectious agent).

Suitable host cells include prokaryotes, yeast, mammalian cells, or bacterial cells. Suitable bacteria include gram negative or gram positive organisms, for example, E. coli or Bacillus spp. Yeast, preferably from the Saccharomyces species, such as S. cerevisiae, may also be used for production of polypeptides. Various mammalian or insect cell culture systems can also be employed to express recombinant proteins. Baculovirus systems for production of heterologous proteins in insect cells are reviewed by Luckow and Summers, (Bio/Technology, 6:47, 1988). In some instance it will be desired to produce proteins in vertebrate cells, such as for glycosylation, and the propagation of vertebrate cells in culture (tissue culture) has become a routine procedure. Examples of suitable mammalian host cell lines include endothelial cells, COS-7 monkey kidney cells, CV-1, L cells, C127, 3T3, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), human embryonic kidney cells, HeLa, 293, 293T, and BHK cell lines. For many applications, the small size of the protein multimers described herein would make E. coli the preferred method for expression.

Protein Production

Host cells are transformed with the herein-described expression or cloning vectors for protein production and cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing promoters, selecting transformants, or amplifying the genes encoding the desired sequences.

The host cells used to produce the proteins of this invention may be cultured in a variety of media. Commercially available media such as Ham's F10 (Sigma), Minimal Essential Medium ((MEM), Sigma), RPMI-1640 (Sigma), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium ((DMEM), Sigma) are suitable for culturing the host cells. In addition, any of the media described in Ham et al., Meth. Enz. 58:44 (1979), Barnes et al., Anal. Biochem. 102:255 (1980), U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,767,704; 4,657,866; 4,927,762; 4,560,655; or 5,122,469; WO 90/03430; WO 87/00195; or U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,985 may be used as culture media for the host cells. Any of these media may be supplemented as necessary with hormones and/or other growth factors (such as insulin, transferrin, or epidermal growth factor), salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate), buffers (such as HEPES), nucleotides (such as adenosine and thymidine), antibiotics (such as GENTAMYCIN drug), trace elements (defined as inorganic compounds usually present at final concentrations in the micromolar range), and glucose or an equivalent energy source. Any other necessary supplements may also be included at appropriate concentrations that would be known to those skilled in the art. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH, and the like, are those previously used with the host cell selected for expression, and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.

Proteins disclosed herein can also be produced using cell-translation systems. For such purposes, the nucleic acids encoding the proteins must be modified to allow in vitro transcription to produce mRNA and to allow cell-free translation of the mRNA in the particular cell-free system being utilized. Exemplary eukaryotic cell-free translation systems include, for example, mammalian or yeast cell-free translation systems, and exemplary prokaryotic cell-free translation systems include, for example, bacterial cell-free translation systems.

Proteins disclosed herein can also be produced by chemical synthesis (e.g., by the methods described in Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd ed., 1984, The Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.). Modifications to the protein can also be produced by chemical synthesis.

The proteins disclosed herein can be purified by isolation/purification methods for proteins generally known in the field of protein chemistry. Non-limiting examples include extraction, recrystallization, salting out (e.g., with ammonium sulfate or sodium sulfate), centrifugation, dialysis, ultrafiltration, adsorption chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, normal phase chromatography, reversed-phase chromatography, gel filtration, gel permeation chromatography, affinity chromatography, electrophoresis, countercurrent distribution or any combinations of these. After purification, proteins may be exchanged into different buffers and/or concentrated by any of a variety of methods known to the art, including, but not limited to, filtration and dialysis.

The purified proteins are preferably at least 85% pure, more preferably at least 95% pure, and most preferably at least 98% pure. Regardless of the exact numerical value of the purity, the proteins are sufficiently pure for use as a pharmaceutical product.

Imaging, Diagnostic and Other Applications

The E binders described herein can be detectably labeled and used to contact cells expressing EGFR for imaging or diagnostic applications. The E/I binders described herein can be detectably labeled and used to contact cells expressing EGFR and/or IGFIR for imaging or diagnostic applications. Any method known in the art for conjugating a protein to the detectable moiety may be employed, including those methods described by Hunter, et al., Nature 144:945 (1962); David, et al., Biochemistry 13:1014 (1974); Pain, et al., J. Immunol. Meth. 40:219 (1981); and Nygren, J. Histochem. and Cytochem. 30:407 (1982).

In certain embodiments, the E binders and E/I binders described herein are further attached to a label that is able to be detected (e.g., the label can be a radioisotope, fluorescent compound, enzyme or enzyme co-factor). The label may be a radioactive agent, such as: radioactive heavy metals such as iron chelates, radioactive chelates of gadolinium or manganese, positron emitters of oxygen, nitrogen, iron, carbon, or gallium, ⁴³K, ⁵²Fe, ⁵⁷Co, ⁶⁷Cu, ⁶⁷Ga, ⁶⁸Ga, ¹²³I, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ¹³²I, or ⁹⁹Tc. An E binder or E/I binder affixed to such a moiety may be used as an imaging agent and is administered in an amount effective for diagnostic use in a mammal such as a human and the localization and accumulation of the imaging agent is then detected. The localization and accumulation of the imaging agent may be detected by radioscintigraphy, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography or positron emission tomography. As will be evident to the skilled artisan, the amount of radioisotope to be administered is dependent upon the radioisotope. Those having ordinary skill in the art can readily formulate the amount of the imaging agent to be administered based upon the specific activity and energy of a given radionuclide used as the active moiety.

E binders and E/I binders also are useful as affinity purification agents. In this process, the proteins are immobilized on a suitable support, such a Sephadex resin or filter paper, using methods well known in the art. The proteins can be employed in any known assay method, such as competitive binding assays, direct and indirect sandwich assays, and immunoprecipitation assays (Zola, Monoclonal Antibodies: A Manual of Techniques, pp. 147-158 (CRC Press, Inc., 1987)).

E binders are useful in methods for detecting EGFR in a sample. E/I binders also are useful in methods for detecting EGFR and/or IGFIR in a sample. The sample will often by a biological sample, such as a biopsy, and particularly a biopsy of a tumor, a suspected tumor. The sample may be from a human or other mammal. The E binder or E/I binder may be labeled with a labeling moiety, such as a radioactive moiety, a fluorescent moiety, a chromogenic moiety, a chemiluminescent moiety, or a hapten moiety; and may be immobilized on a solid support. Detection may be carried out using any technique known in the art, such as, for example, radiography, immunological assay, fluorescence detection, mass spectroscopy, or surface plasmon resonance.

Therapeutic/In Vivo Uses

The E binders described herein are also useful in methods for treating conditions which respond to an inhibition of EGFR biological activity. The E/I binders described herein are also useful in methods for treating conditions which respond to an inhibition of EGFR and/or IGFIR biological activity. EGFR and IGFIR are involved either directly or indirectly in the signal transduction pathways of various cell activities, including proliferation, adhesion and migration, as well as differentiation.

In one aspect, the application provides methods for treating a subject afflicted with a hyperproliferative disorder with a therapeutically effective amount of an E binder or an E/I binder. In particular, E binders and E/I binders are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of tumors and/or tumor metastases. In exemplary embodiments, the E/I binder is an antibody-like protein multimer such as a dimer of an EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 and an IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3.

In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions comprising E binders or E/I binders are administered to a subject afflicted with a tumor, including but not limited to, a brain tumor, tumor of the urogenital tract, tumor of the lymphatic system, stomach tumor, laryngeal tumor, monocytic leukemia, lung adenocarcinoma, small-cell lung carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma and breast carcinoma; or a cancerous disease, including but not limited to, squamous cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, head cancer, neck cancer, oesophageal cancer, gynecological cancer, thyroid cancer, lymphoma, chronic leukemia and acute leukemia.

An E binder or an E/I binder can be administered alone or in combination with one or more additional therapies such as chemotherapy radiotherapy, immunotherapy, surgical intervention, or any combination of these. Long-term therapy is equally possible as is adjuvant therapy in the context of other treatment strategies, as described herein. Techniques and dosages for administration vary depending on the type of specific polypeptide and the specific condition being treated but can be readily determined by the skilled artisan.

Additional Agents that May be Used with E/I Binders

One aspect of the application provides combinations of E binder or E/I binders and an additional therapeutic agent, such as a cytotoxic agent. In some embodiments, an E binder or E/I binder is linked to a cytotoxic agent. Such embodiments can be prepared by in vitro or in vivo methods as appropriate. In vitro methods include conjugation chemistry well know in the art, such as conjugation to cysteine and lysine residues. In order to link a cytotoxic agent to a polypeptide, a linking group or reactive group is used. Suitable linking groups are well known in the art and include disulfide groups, thioether groups, acid labile groups, photolabile groups, peptidase labile groups and esterase labile groups. Cytotoxic agents can also be linked to E binders or E/I binders through an intermediary carrier molecule such as serum albumin

Exemplary cytotoxic agents that may be linked to E binders or E/I binders, include maytansinoids, taxanes, analogs of CC-1065, bacterial toxin, plant toxin, ricin, abrin, a ribonuclease (RNase), DNase I, a protease, Staphylococcal enterotoxin-A, pokeweed antiviral protein, gelonin, diphtherin toxin, Pseudomonas exotoxin, Pseudomonas endotoxin, Ranpimase (Rap), Rap (N69Q), methotrexate, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, vincristine, vinblastine, melphalan, mitomycin C, chlorambucil, and calicheamicin.

In other therapeutic treatments or compositions, E binders or E/I binders are co-administered, or administered sequentially, with one or more additional therapeutic agents. Suitable therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, cytotoxic or cytostatic agents, such as cancer therapeutic agents.

Cancer therapeutic agents are those agents that seek to kill or limit the growth of cancer cells while having minimal effects on the patient. Thus, such agents may exploit any difference in cancer cell properties (e.g., metabolism, vascularization or cell-surface antigen presentation) from healthy host cells. Therapeutic agents that can be combined with E/I binders for improved anti-cancer efficacy include diverse agents used in oncology practice (Reference: Cancer, Principles & Practice of Oncology, DeVita, V. T., Hellman, S., Rosenberg, S. A., 6th edition, Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 2001), such as doxorubicin, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, trastuzumab, capecitabine, tamoxifen, toremifene, letrozole, anastrozole, fulvestrant, exemestane, goserelin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin, cisplatin, dexamethasone, antide, bevacizumab, 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, levamisole, irinotecan, etoposide, topotecan, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, estramustine, mitoxantrone, abarelix, zoledronate, streptozocin, rituximab, idarubicin, busulfan, chlorambucil, fludarabine, imatinib, cytarabine, ibritumomab, tositumomab, interferon alpha-2b, melphalam, bortezomib, altretamine, asparaginase, gefitinib, erlonitib, anti-EGF receptor antibody (e.g., cetuximab or panitumab), ixabepilone, epothilones or derivatives thereof, platinum agents (such as carboplatin, oxaliplatin, cisplatin), taxanes (such as paclitaxel, docetaxel), and camptothecin.

Therapeutic Formulations and Modes of Administration

The present application provides methods for treating conditions which respond to an inhibition of EGFR and/or IGFIR biological activity. Techniques and dosages for administration vary depending on the type of specific polypeptide and the specific condition being treated but can be readily determined by the skilled artisan. In general, regulatory agencies require that a protein reagent to be used as a therapeutic is formulated so as to have acceptably low levels of pyrogens. Accordingly, therapeutic formulations will generally be distinguished from other formulations in that they are substantially pyrogen free, or at least contain no more than acceptable levels of pyrogen as determined by the appropriate regulatory agency (e.g., FDA).

In some embodiments, the E binders and E/I binders are are pharmaceutically acceptable to a mammal, in particular a human. A “pharmaceutically acceptable” polypeptide refers to a polypeptide that is administered to an animal without significant adverse medical consequences. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable E binders and E/I binders include ¹⁰Fn3 domains that lack the integrin-binding domain (RGD) and ¹⁰Fn3 domains that are essentially endotoxin free or have very low endotoxin levels.

Therapeutic compositions may be administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, or excipient, in unit dosage form. Administration may be parenteral (e.g., intravenous, subcutaneous), oral, or topical, as non-limiting examples. In addition, any gene therapy technique using nucleic acids encoding E binders or E/I binders, may be employed, such as naked DNA delivery, recombinant genes and vectors, cell-based delivery, including ex vivo manipulation of patients' cells, and the like.

The composition can be in the form of a pill, tablet, capsule, liquid, or sustained release tablet for oral administration; a liquid for intravenous, subcutaneous or parenteral administration; or a gel, lotion, ointment, cream, or a polymer or other sustained release vehicle for local administration.

Methods well known in the art for making formulations are found, for example, in “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy” (20th ed., ed. A. R. Gennaro A R., 2000, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, Pa.). Formulations for parenteral administration may, for example, contain excipients, sterile water, saline, polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, oils of vegetable origin, or hydrogenated napthalenes. Biocompatible, biodegradable lactide polymer, lactide/glycolide copolymer, or polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers may be used to control the release of the compounds. Nanoparticulate formulations (e.g., biodegradable nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes) may be used to control the biodistribution of the compounds. Other potentially useful parenteral delivery systems include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer particles, osmotic pumps, implantable infusion systems, and liposomes. The concentration of the compound in the formulation varies depending upon a number of factors, including the dosage of the drug to be administered, and the route of administration.

The polypeptide may be optionally administered as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, such as non-toxic acid addition salts or metal complexes that are commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry. Examples of acid addition salts include organic acids such as acetic, lactic, pamoic, maleic, citric, malic, ascorbic, succinic, benzoic, palmitic, suberic, salicylic, tartaric, methanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, or trifluoroacetic acids or the like; polymeric acids such as tannic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, or the like; and inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid phosphoric acid, or the like. Metal complexes include zinc, iron, and the like. In one example, the polypeptide is formulated in the presence of sodium acetate to increase thermal stability.

Formulations for oral use include tablets containing the active ingredient(s) in a mixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. These excipients may be, for example, inert diluents or fillers (e.g., sucrose and sorbitol), lubricating agents, glidants, and anti-adhesives (e.g., magnesium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, silicas, hydrogenated vegetable oils, or talc).

Formulations for oral use may also be provided as chewable tablets, or as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium.

A therapeutically effective dose refers to a dose that produces the therapeutic effects for which it is administered. The exact dose will depend on the disorder to be treated, and may be ascertained by one skilled in the art using known techniques. In general, the E binder or E/I binder is administered at about 0.01 μg/kg to about 50 mg/kg per day, preferably 0.01 mg/kg to about 30 mg/kg per day, most preferably 0.1 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg per day. The polypeptide may be given daily (e.g., once, twice, three times, or four times daily) or less frequently (e.g., once every other day, once or twice weekly, or monthly). In addition, as is known in the art, adjustments for age as well as the body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, drug interaction, and the severity of the disease may be necessary, and will be ascertainable with routine experimentation by those skilled in the art.

EXEMPLIFICATION

The invention now being generally described will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples which are included merely for purposes of illustration of certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

Summary of Sequences

Many of the sequences referenced in this application are summarized in the table below. Unless otherwise specified, N-terminal extensions are indicated with a single underline, C-terminal tails are indicated with a double underline, and linker sequences are indicated in bold.

SEQ ID NO: Description Sequence  1 WT human ¹⁰Fn3 domain VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDAPAVTVRYY RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGSKSTATISGLKPGV DYTITVYAVTGRGDSPASSKPISINYRT  2 Variant human 10Fn3 with the VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDAPAVTVRYY integrin binding motif removed RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGSKSTATISGLKPGV (RGD changed to SGE; DYTITVYAVTGSGESPASSKPISINYRT changes from SEQ ID NO: 1 are underlined)  3 I1 IGF-IR monomer with N- VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLIUSWSARLKVARYY terminal extension (N + 8) and RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG no tail VDYTITVYSVTRFRDYQPISINYRT  4 I1 IGF-IF monomer with MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR N-terminal extension (N + 10) YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK and Ser tail with His tag PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPSQ HHHHHH  5 E2 EGFR monomer with VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQYY N-terminal extension (N + 8) RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLKPG and no tail VDYTITVYAVTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYR T  6 E2 EGFR monomer with MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQ N-terminal extension (N + 10) YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLK and Ser tail with his tag PGVDYTITVYACTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISIN YRTEIDKPSQHHHHHH  7 E1 EGFR monomer with VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQYY N-terminal extension (N + 8) RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLKPG and no tail VDYTITVYAVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRT  8 E1 EGFR monomer with MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQ N-terminal extension (N + 10) YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLK and Ser tail with his tag PGVDYTITVYAVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRTEI DKPSQHHHHHH  9 Ser tail EIDKPSQ 10 Cys tail EIDKPCQ 11 (GS)₁₀ Linker GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS 12 Fn Based Linker PSTSTST 13 (GS)₅ Linker GSGSGSGSGS 14 (GGGGS)₃ Linker GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS 15 (GGGGS)₄ Linker GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS 16 (GGGGS)₅ Linker GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS 17 G₄SG₄SG₃SG Linker GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS 18 Linker GPGPGPG 19 Linker GPGPGPGPGPG 20 I1-GS10-E2: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) to E2 (with SLLISWDSGRGSYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFT N-terminal extension (N + 8) VPGPVHTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDHKPHA and no tail) DGPHTYHESPISINYRT 21 I1-GS10-E2: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWDSGRGSYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E2 (with N-terminal extension TVPGPVHTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDHKPH (N + 8) and Ser tail) ADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEIDKPSQ 22 I1-GS10-E2: I/E tandem I1 MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR (with N-terminal extension YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK (N + 10) and short tail) fused PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is SEQ SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP ID NO: 11) to E2 (with N- TSLLISWDSGRGSYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF terminal extension (N + 8) and TVPGPVHTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDHKPH Ser tail with his tag) ADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 23 E2-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQYY having E2 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYR fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is TEIDKGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRD SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- LEVVAATPTSLLISWARLKVARYYRITYGETG terminal extension (N + 8) and GNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVY Ser tail) AVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPSQ 24 E2-GS10-I1: E/I yandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQ having E2 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISIN tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker YRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to RDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGE I1 (with N-terminal extension TGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTIT (N + 8) and Ser tail) VYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPSQ 25 E2-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQ having E2 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISIN tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker YRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to RDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGE I1 (with N-terminaal extension TGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTIT (N + 8) and Ser taail with his tag) VYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 26 I1-GS10-E1: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGBSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) to E1 (with SLLISWVAGAEDYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFT N-terminal extension (N + 8) VPHDLVTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYACTDMMHV and no tail) EYTEHPISINYRT 27 I1-GS10-E1: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWVAGAEDYQYYRITYGETGGBSPVQEF E1 (with N-terminal extension TVPHDLVTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDMMH (N + 8) and Ser tail) VEYTEHPISINYRTEIDKPSQ 28 I1-GS10-E1: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWVAGAEDYQYYRITYGETGGBSPVQEF E1 (with N-terminal extension TVPHDLVTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDMMH (N + 8) and Ser tail with his tag) VEYTEHPISINYRTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 29 E1-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQYY having E1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRTEIDK fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVA SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- ATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNSPV terminal extension (N + 8) and QEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRF no tail) RDYQPISINYRT 30 E1-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQ having E1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRTEI tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker DK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEV (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to VAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNS I1 (with N-terminal extension PVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT (N + 8) and Ser tail) RFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPSQ 31 E1-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQ having E1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRTEI tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker DK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEV (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to VAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNS I1 (with N-terminal extension PVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT (N + 8) and Ser tail with his tag) RFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 32 ¹⁰Fn3 scaffold, wherein the VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLI BC, DE, and FG loops are (X)_(n)YYRITYGETGGBSPVQEFTV(X)_(o)ATISGLKP represented by (X)_(n), (X)_(o), and GVDYTITVYAV(X)_(p)ISINYRT (X)_(p), respectively, and n is an integer from 1-20, o is AN integer from 1-20, and p is an integer from 1-40 33 BC loop sequence from EGFR SWVAGAEDYQ binder E1 34 BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(m)VAGAEDYQX_(n) binder E1, wherein X is any amino acid and m and n are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 35 DE loop sequence from EGFR PHDLVT binder E1 36 DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(o)HDLVX_(p) binder E1, wherein X is any amino acid and m and n are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 37 FG loop sequence from EGFR TDMMHVEYTEHP binder E1 38 FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(q)DMMHVEYTEHX_(r) binder E1, wherein X is any amino acid and m and n are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 39 BC loop sequence from EGFR SWDSGRGSYQ binder E2 40 BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(g)DSGRGSYQX_(h) binder E2, wherein X is any amino acid and m and n are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 41 DE loop sequence from EGFR PGPVHT binder E2 42 DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(i)GPVHX_(j) binder E2, wherein X is any amino acid and m and n are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 43 FG loop sequence from EGFR TDHKPHADGPHTYHESP binder E2 44 FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(k)DHKPHADGPHTYHEX_(l) binder E2, wherein X is any amino acid and m and n are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 45 BC loop sequence from SWSSARLKVAR IGF-IR binder I1 46 BC loop sequence from X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) IGF-IR binder I1, wherein X is any amino acid and a and b are independently selereted from 0 to 5 amino acids 47 DE loop sequence from PKNVYT IGF-IR binder I1 X_(c)KNVYX_(d) 48 DE loop sequence from IGF-IR binder I1, wherein X is any amino acid and a and b are independently selereted from 0 to 5 amino acids 49 FG loop sequence from TRFRDYQP IGF-IR binder I1 50 FG loop sequence from X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) IGF-IR binder I1, wherein X is any amino acid and a and b are independently selereted from 0 to 5 amino acids 51 Linker GPG 52 E3 EGFR monomer with N- MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQ terminal extension (N + 10), Ser YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLK tail and his tag PGVDYTITVYAVTNMMHVEYSEYPISINYRTEI DKPSQHHHHHH 53 E3-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQ having E3 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTNMMHVEYSEYPISINYRTEI tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker DK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEV (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to VAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNS I1 (with N-terminal extension PVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT (N + 8) and Cys tail with his RFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH tag) 54 I1-GS10-E3: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQ having I1 with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRSLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWLPGKLRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E3 (with N-terminal extension TVPHDLRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTNMMH (N + 8) and Cys tail with his VEYSEYPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH tag) 55 E1-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQ having E1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTNMMHVEYSEYPISINYRTEI tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker DK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEV (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to VAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNS I1 (with N-terminal extension PVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT (N + 8) and Cys tail with his RFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH tag) 56 E2-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQ having E2 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISIN tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker YRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to RDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGE I1 (with N-terminal extension TGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTIT (N + 8) and Cys tail with his VYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH tag) 57 I1-GS10-E1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRSLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWLPGKLRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E1 (with N-terminal extension TVPHDLRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTNMMH (N + 8) and Cys tail with his VEYSEYPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH tag) 58 I1-GS10-E2: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS₁₀ linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRSLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWLPGKLRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E2 (with N-terminal extension TVPGPVHTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDHKPH (N + 8) and Cys tail with his ADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH tag) 59 BC loop sequence from EGFR SWLPGKLRYQ binder E3 60 BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(s)LPGKLRYQX_(t) binder E3, wherein X is any amino acid and s and t are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 61 DE loop sequence from EGFR PHDLRT binder E3 62 DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(u)HDLRX_(w) binder E3, wherein X is any amino acid and s and t are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 63 FG loop sequence from EGFR TNMMHVEYSEYP binder E3 64 DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(y)NMMHVEYSEYX_(z) binder E3, wherein X is any amino acid and s and t are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 65 I1 IGF-IR monomer core EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGG sequence: I1 without NSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYA N-terminal extension or C- CTRFRDYQPISINYRT terminl tail 66 E1 EGFR monomer core EVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQYYRITYGETG sequence: E1 without GNSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLKPGVDYTITVY N-terminal extension or C- AVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRT terminal tail 67 E2 EGFR monomer core EVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQYYRITYGETGG sequence: E1 without NSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYA N-terminal extension or C- VTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRT terminal tail 68 E3 EGFR monomer core EVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQYYRITYGETGG sequence: E1 without NSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYA N-terminal extension or C- VTNMMHVEYSEYPISINYRT terminal tail 69 Exemplary N-terminal MGVSDVPRDL extension (N + 10) 70 Exemplary N-terminal GVSDVPRDL extension 71 Exemplary N-terminal VSDVPRDL extension (N + 8) 72 Exemplary N-terminal X_(n)SDVPRDL extension, wherein X is any amino acid and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably when n = 1, X is Met or Gly and when n = 2, X is Met-Gly 73 Exemplary N-terminal X_(n)DVPRDL extension, wherein X is any amino acid and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably when n = 1, X is Met or Gly and when n = 2, X is Met-Gly 74 Exemplary N-terminal X_(n)VPRDL extension, wherein X is any amino acid and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably when n = 1, X is Met or Gly and when n = 2, X is Met-Gly 75 Exemplary N-terminal X_(n)PRDL extension, wherein X is any amino acid and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably when n = 1, X is Met or Gly and when n = 2, X is Met-Gly 76 Exemplary N-terminal X_(n)RDL extension, wherein X is any amino acid and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably when n = 1, X is Met or Gly and when n = 2, X is Met-Gly 77 Exemplary N-terminal X_(n)DL extension, wherein X is any amino acid and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably when n = 1, X is Met or Gly and when n = 2, X is Met-Gly 78 Short tail EIDK 79 Exemplary C-terminal tail EIDKP 80 Exemplary C-terminal tail EIDKPS 81 Exemplary C-terminal tail EIDKPC 82 E3 EGFR monomer with N- VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQYY terminal extension (N + 8) and RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLKPG no tail VDYTITVYAVTNMMHVEYSEYPISINYRT 87 E3-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQYY having E3 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTNMMHVEYSEYPISINYRTEIDK fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVA SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- ATPTSLLISWSARLKVEARYYRITYGETGGNSPV terminal extension (N + 8) and QEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRF Cys tail) RDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQ 88 I1-GS10-E3: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having E3 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) to E3 (with SLLISWLPGKLRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFT N-terminal extension (N + 8) VPHDLRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTNMMHV and Cys tail) EYSEYPISINYRTEIDKPCQ 89 E1-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQYY having E1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRTEIDK fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVA SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- ATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNSPV terminal extension (N + 8) and QEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRF Cys tail) RDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQ 90 E2-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPEDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQYY having EW (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYR fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is TEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRED SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- LEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETG terminal extension (N + 8) and GNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVY Cys tail) AVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQ 91 I1-GS10-E1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) to E1 (with SLLISWVAGAEDYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFT N-terminal extension (N + 8) VPHDLVTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDMMHV and Cys tail) EYTEHPISINYRTEIDKPCQ 92 I1-GS10-E2: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAARTPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) to E1 (with SLLISWDSGRGSYQYYRITYGETGGBSPVQEFT N-terminal extension (N + 8) VPGPVHTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDHKPHA and Cys tail) DGPHTYHESPISINYRTEIDKPCQ 93 PA3 Linker PAPAPA 94 PA6 Linker PAPAPAPAPAPA 95 PA9 Linker PAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPA 96 Modified Ser tail EGSGS 97 Modified Cys tail EGSCS 98 E3-(PA)_(n)-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQYY having E3 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTNMMHVETSEYPISINYRTE(PA)n fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY SEQ ID NO: 488) to I1 (with RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG N-terminal extension (N + 8) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEGSGX and a modified Ser or Cys tail), wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys 99 I1-(PA)_(n)-E3: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VSDV fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is PRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQYYRITYG SEQ ID NO: 488) to E3 (with ETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLKPGVDYTI N-terminal extension (N + 8) TVYAVTNMMHVEYSEYPISINYRTEGSGX and a modified Ser or Cys tail), wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys 100  E1-(PA)_(n)-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQYY having E1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRTE(PA)n fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY SEQ ID NO: 488) to I1 (with RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG N-terminal extension (N + 8) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEGSGX and a modified Ser or Cys tail), wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys 101  E2-(PA)_(n)-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQYY having E2 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYR fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is TE(PA)n VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLK SEQ ID NO: 488) to I1 (with VARYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATIS N-terminal extension (N + 8) GLKPGVDUTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEGS and a modified Ser or Cys tail), GX wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys 102  I1-(PA)_(n)-E1: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having E1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VSDV fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is PRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWVAGAEDYQYYRITY SEQ ID NO: 488) to E1 (with GETGGBSPVQEFTVPHDLVTATISGLKPGVDYT N-terminal extension (N + 8) ITVYAVTDMMHVEYTEHPISINYRTEGSGX and a modified Ser or Cys tail), wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys 103  I1-(PA)_(n)-E2: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VSDV fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is PRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDSGRGSYQYYRITYG SEQ ID NO: 488) to E2 (with ETGGNSPVQEFTVPGPVHTATISGLKPGVDYTI N-terminal extension (N + 8) TVYAVTDHKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEGSG and a modified Ser or Cys tail), X wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys 104  E3-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWLPGKLRYQYY having E3 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPHDLRTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTNMMHVEYSEYPISINYRTEIDK fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVA SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- ATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNSPV terminal extension (N + 8) and QEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRF Ser tail) RDYQPISINYRTEIDKPSQ 105  I1-GS10-E3: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGVSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS₁₀ linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) toE31 (with N- SLLISWLPGKLRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFT terminal extension (N + 8) and VPHDLRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTNMMHV Ser tail) EYSEYPISINYRTEIDKPSQ 106  E4 EGFR monomer with N- VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWHERDGSRQYY terminal extension (N + 8) and RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPG no tail VDYTITVYAVTDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTPISINYRT 107  E4 EGFR monomer with N- MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWHERDGSRQ terminal extension (N + 10) and YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLK a Ser with His tag PGVDYTITVYAVTDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTPISINY RTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 108  E4 EGFR monomer core AVVAATPTSLLISWHERDGSRQYYRITHGETGG sequence: E4 without N- NSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYA terminal extension or C- VTDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTPISINYRT terminal tail 109  BC loop sequence from EGFR SWHERDGSRQ binder E4 110  DE loop sequence from EGFR PGGVRT binder E4 111  FG loop sequence from EGFR TDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTP binder E4 112  E5 EGFR monomer with N- VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWWAPVDRYQYY terminal extension (N + 8) and RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPRDVYTATISGLKPG no tail VDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYR T 113  E5 EGFR monomer with N- MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWWAPVDRYQ terminal extension (N + 10) and YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPRDVYTATISGLK a modified Ser or Cys tail, PGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISIN wherein X = Ser or Cys; may YRTEIDKPXQ optionally comprise a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 114  E5 EGFR monomer core EVVAATPTSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETG sequence: E5 without N- GNSPVQEFTCPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVY terminal extension or C- ACTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRT terminal tail 115  BC loop sequence from EGFR SWWAPVDRYQ binder E5 116  DE loop sequence from EGFR PRDVYT binder E5 117  FG loop sequence from EGFR TDYKPHADGPHTYHESP binder E5 118  E4-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWHERDGSRQYY having E4 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTDYFNPTTHEYIOYQTTPISINYRT fused via GS10 linker (GS10 is EIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDL SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGG terminal extension (N + 8) and NSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYA no tail) VTRFRDYQPISINYRT 119  E4-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWHERDGSRQYY having E4 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTPIOSINYRT fused via GS10 linker (GS10 is EIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDL SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGG terminal extension (N + 8) and NSPVQEFTVPKNCYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYA modified Ser or Cys tail), VTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPXQ wherein X = Ser or Cys; may optionally comprise a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 120  E4-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWHERDGSRQ having E4 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTPISINY tail) fused via GS10 linker RTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPR (GS 10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to DLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET I1 (with N-terminal extension GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV (N + 8) and Cys tail) with his YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH tag 121  E4-(PA)n-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWHERDGSRQYY having E4 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTPISINYRT fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is E(PA)n VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKV SEQ ID NO: 488) to I1 (with ARYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISG N-terminal extension (N + 8) LKPGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKP and modified Ser or Cys tail), CQHHHHHH wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys; may optionally comprise a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 122  I1-GS10-E4: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS10 linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 111) to E4 (having SLLISWEHERDGSRQYYRITYGETGGNDPSQEFT N-terminal extension (N + 8) VPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYFNPT and no tail) THEYIYQTTPISINYRT 123  I1-GS10-E4: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS10 linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) to E4 (with SLLISQHERDGSRQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFT N-terminal extension (N + 8) VPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYFNPT and modified Ser or Cys tail), THEYIYQTTPISINYRTEIDKPXQ wherein X = Ser or Cys; may optionally comprise a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 124  I1-GS10-E4: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS10 linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWHERDGSRQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E4 (with N-terminal extension TVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYFNP (N + 8) and a Cys tail) with his TTHEYIYQTTPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH tag 125  I1-(PA)_(n)-E4: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VSDV fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is PRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWHERDGSRQYYRITYG SEQ ID NO: 488) to E4 (with ETGGBSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTI N-terminal extension (N + 8) TVYAVTDYFNPTTHEYIYQTTPISINYRTEIDKP and modified Ser or Cys tail), XQ wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys; may optionally comprise a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 126  E5-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWWAPVFRYQYY having E5 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGBSPVQEFTVPRDVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYR fused via GS10 linker (GS10 is TEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRD SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- LEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETG terminal extension (N + 8) and GNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVY no tail) AVTRFRDYQPISINYRT 127  E5-GS10-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWWAPVDRYQYY having E5 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGBSPVQEFTVPRDVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTDYLPHADGPHTYHESPISINYR fused via GS10 linker (GS10 is TEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRD SEQ ID NO: 11) to I1 (with N- LEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETG terminal extension (N + 8) and GNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVY modified Ser or Cys tail), AVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPXQ wherein X = Ser or Cys; may optionally comprise a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 128  E5-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWWAPVDRYQ having E5 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTPRDVTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISIN tail) fused via GS10 linker YRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to RDLEVVAATPTDLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGE I1 (with N-terminal extension TGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTIT (N + 8) and a Cys tail), with a VYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH His tag 129  E5-(PA)_(n)-I1: E/I tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWWAPVDRYQYY having E5 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPRDVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and an E tail) VDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYR fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is TE(PA)n VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLK SEQ ID NO: 488) to I1 (with VARYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATIS N-terminal extension (N + 8) GLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK and modified Ser or Cys tail), PXQ wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys; may optionally comprise a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 130  I1-GS10-E5: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS10 linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVRPDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) to E5 (with SLLISWWAPCDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF N-terminal extension (N + 8) TVPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPH and no tail) ADGPHTYHESPISINYRT 131  I1-GS10-E5: I/E tandem VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYY having I1 (with N-terminal RITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPG extension (N + 8) and short tail) VDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGS fused via GS10 linker (GS10 is GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPT SEQ ID NO: 11) to E5 (with SLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF N-terminal extension (N + 8) TVPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPH and modified Ser or Cys tail), ADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEIDKPXQ wherein X = Ser or Cys; may optionally comprise a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 132  I1-GS10-E5: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS10 linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE E5 (with N-terminal extension FTVPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKP (N + 8) and a Cys tail) with a HADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH His tag 133  I1-(PA)_(n)-E5: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 8) and an E tail) PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VS fused via (PA)_(n) linker ((PA)_(n) is DVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRI SEQ ID NO: 488) to E5 (with TYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPRDVYTATISGLKPGVD N-terminal extension (N + 8) YTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEI and modified Ser or Cys tail), DKPXQ wherein n = 3, 6 or 9, and X = Ser or Cys; may optionally comprise a 6X His taag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 134  BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(g)HERDGSRQX_(h) binder E4, wherein X is any amino acid and g and h are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 135  DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(i)GGVRX_(j) binder E4, wherein X is any amino acid and i and j are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 136  FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(k)DYFNPTTHEYIYQTTX_(l) binder E4, wherein X is any amino acid and k and l are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 137  BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(g)WAPVDRYQX_(h) binder E5, wherein X is any amino acid and g and h are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 138  DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(i)RDVYX_(j) binder E5, wherein X is any amino acid and i and j are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 139  FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHESX_(l) binder E5, wherein X is any amino acid and k and l are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 140  E85 EGFR monomer with N- MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWTQGSTHYQ terminal extension (N + 10) and YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGMVYTATISGLK Ser tail with his tag PGVDYTITVYAVTDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTPISIN YRTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 141  E85 EGFR monomer core: EVVAATPTSLLISWTQGSTHYQYYRITYGETGG E85 monomer without N- NSPVQEFTVPGMVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVAY terminal extension or C- VTDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTPISINYRT terminal tail 142  E85 EGFR monomer, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWTQGSTHYQYYRITYGET X₁ is selected from the group GGNSPVQEFTVPGMVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- YAVTDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTPISINYRTX₂ 77 and X₂ is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10; may optionally comprise a his tag 143  BC loop sequence from EGFR SWTQGSTHYQ binder E85 144  DE loop sequence from EGFR PGMVYT binder E85 145  FG loop sequence from EGFR TDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTP binder E85 146  BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(g)TQGSTHYQX_(h) binder E85, wherein X is any amino acid and g and h are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 147  DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(i)GMVYX_(j) binder E85, wherein X is any amino acid and i and j are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 148  FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(k)DYFDRSTHEYKYRTTX_(l) binder E85, wherein X is any amino acid and k and l are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 149  E85-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWTQGSTHYQ having E85 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGMVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTPISIN tail) fused via GS10 linker YRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to RDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGE I1 (with N-terminal extension TGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTIT (N + 8) and Cys tail) with a 6X VYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 150  E85-GS10-I1 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWTQGSTHYQYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPGMVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTPISINYRTEIDK GS consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAAT 77, X₂ is optional and when PTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE present is selected from the FTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRFRD group consisting of SEQ ID YQPISINYRTX₂ NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 151  E85-(PA)_(n)-I1 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWTQGSTHYQYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPGMVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTDYFDRSTHEYKYRTTPISINYRTE(PA)n VS consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- DVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRIT 77, X₂ is optional and when TGETGGNSPVQEFTPKNVYTATISGLKPGVD present is selected from the YTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTX₂ group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 152  I1-GS10-E85: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS10 linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWTQGSTHYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E85 (with N-terminal TVPGMVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYFD extension (N + 8) and Cys tail) RSTHEYKURTTPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH with a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 153  I1-GS10-E85 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYROTYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSG consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- SGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWTQ 77, X₂ is optional and when GSTHYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGMVYT present is selected from the ATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYFDRSTHEYKYR group consisting of SEQ ID TTPISINYRTX₂ NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 154  I1-(PA)_(n)-E85 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VSDVPRDLEV consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- VAATPTSLLISWTQGSTHYQYYRITYGETGGNS 77, X₂ is optional and when PVQEFTVPGMVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT present is selected from the DYFDRSTHEYKYRTTPISINYRTX₂ group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 155  E90 EGFR monomer with N- MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWYWEGLPYQ terminal extension (N + 10) and YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPRDVNTATISGLK Ser tail with his tag PGVDYTITVYAVTDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIPISINY RTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 156  E90 EGFR monomer core: EVAATPTSLLISWYWEGLPYQYYRITYGETG E90 monomer without N- GNSPVQEFTVPRDVNTATISGLKPGVDYTITVY terminal extension or C- AVTDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIPISINYRT terminal tail 157  E90 EGFR monomer, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWYWEGLPYQYYRITYGET X₁ is elected from the group GGNSPVQEFTVPRDVNTATISGLKPGCDYTITV consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- YAVTDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIPISINYRTX₂ 77 and X₂ is selected from tghe group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10; may optionally comprise a his tag 158  BC loop sequence from EGFR SWYWEGLPYQ binder E90 159  DE loop sequence from EGFR PRDVNT binder E90 160  FG loop sequence from EGFR TDWYNPSTHEYIYHTIP binder E90 161  BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(g)YWEGLPYQX_(h) binder E90, wherein X is any amino acid and g and h are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 162  DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(i)RDVNX_(j) binder E90, wherein X is any amino acid and i and j are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 163  FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(k)DWYNPDTHEYIYHTIX_(l) binder E90, wherein X is any amino acid and k and l are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 164  E90-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWYWEGLPYQ having E90 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPRDVNTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIPISINY tail) fused via GS10 linker RTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPR (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to DLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET I1 (with N-terminal extension GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV (N + 8) and Cys tail) with a 6X YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 165  E90-GS10-I1 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWYWEGLPYQYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPRDVNTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIPISINYRTEIDK GSG consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP 77, X₂ is optional and when TSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF present is selected from the TVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDY group consisting of SEQ ID QPISINYRTX₂ NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 166  E90-(PA)_(n)-I1 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWYWEGLPYQYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPRDVNTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIPISINYRTE(PA)n VS consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- DVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRIT 77, X₂ is optional and when TGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVD present is selected from the YTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTX₂ group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 167  I1-GS10-E90: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS10 linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWYWEGLPYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E90 (with N-terminal TVPRDVNTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDWYN extension (N + 8) and Cys tail) PDTHEYIYHTIPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH with a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 168  I1-GS10-E90 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTCPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTIYV selected from the group YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSG consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- SGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWY 77, X₂ is optional and when WEGLPYQYYRITYGETGGNPSVQEFTVPRDVN present is selected from the TATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDWYNPDTHEYIY group consisting of SEQ ID HTIPISINYRTX₂ NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 169  I1-(PA)_(n)-E90 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VSDVPRDLEV consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- VAATPTSLLISWYWEGLPYQYYRITYGETGGN 77, X₂ is optional and when SPVQEFTVPRDVNTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAV present is selected from the TDWYNPDTHEYIYHTIPISINYRTX₂ group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 170  E96 EGFR monomer with N- MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWASNRGTYQ terminal extension (N + 10) and YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVSTATISGLK Ser tail with his tag PGVDYTITVYAVTDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTPISINY RTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 171  E96 EGFR monomer core: EVAATPTSLLISWASNRGTYQYYRITYGETGG E96 monomer without N- NSPVQEFTVPGGVSTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYA terminal extension or C- VTDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTPISINYRT terminal tail 172  E96 EGFR monomer, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWASNRGTYQYYRITYGET X₁ is selected from the group GGNSPVQEFTVPGGVSTATISGLKPGVDYTITV consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- YAVTDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTPISINTRYX₂ 77 and X₂ is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10; may optionally comprise a his tag 173  BC loop sequence from EGFR SWASNRGTYQ binder E96 174  DE loop sequence from EGFR PGGVST binder E96 175  FG loop sequence from EGFR TDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTP binder E96 176  BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(g)ASNRGTYQX_(h) binder E96, wherein X is any amino acid and g and h are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 177  DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(i)GGVSX_(j) binder E96, wherein X is any amino acid and i and j are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 178  FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(k)DAFNPTTHEYNYFTTX_(l) binder E96, wherein X is any amino acid and k and l are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 179  E96-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWASNRGTYQ having E96 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVSTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTPISINY tail) fused via GS10 linker RTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDPR (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to DLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET I1 (with N-terminal extension GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV (N + 8) and Cys tail) with a 6X YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 180  E96-GS10-I1 core, wherein X₁ X₁EVVAATPTSLLISWASNRGTYQYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPGGVSTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTPISINYRTEIDK GSG consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP 77, X₂ is optional and when TSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF present is selected from the TVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITCYAVTRFRDY group consisting of SEQ ID QPISINYRTX₂ NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 181  E96-(PA)_(n)-I1 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWASNRGTYQYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPGGVSTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTDAFNPTTHEYNYFTTPISINYRTE(PA)n VS consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- DVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRIT 77, X₂ is optional and when YGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVD present is selected from the YTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTX₂ group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 182  I1-GS10-E96: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS10 linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLSWASNRGTYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E96 (with N-terminal TVPGGVSTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDAFNP extension (N + 8) and Cys tail) TTHEYNYFTTPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH with a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 183  I1-GS10-E96 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSG consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- SGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWAS 77, X₂ is optional and when NRGTYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVST present is selected from the ATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDAFNPTTHEYNYF group consisting of SEQ ID TTPISINYRTX₂ NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 184  I1-(PA)_(n)-E96 core, wherein X₁ X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET is optional and when present is GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV selected from the group YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)nVDSVPRDLEV consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- VAATPTSLLISWASNRGTYQYYRITYGETGGNS 77, X₂ is optional and when PVQEFTVPGGVSTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT present is selected from the DAFNPTTHEYNYFTTPISINYRTX₂ group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 185  E105 EGFR monomer with N- MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDAPTSRYQ terminal extension (N + 10) and YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTPGGLSTATISGLKP Ser tail with his tag GVDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINY RTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 186  E105 EGFR monomer core: EVAATPTSLLISWDAPTSRYQYYRITYGETGG E105 monomer without N- NSPVQEFTVPGGLSTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYA terminal extension or C- VTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRT terminal tail 187  E105 EGFR monomer, wherein X₁ EVAATPTSLLISWDAPTSRYQYYRITYGET X₁ is selected from the group GGNSPVQEFTVPGGLSTATISGLKPGVDYTITV consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69- YAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRTX₂ 77 and X₂ is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10; may optionally comprise a his tag 188  BC loop sequence from EGFR SWDAPTSRYQ binder E105 189  DE loop sequence from EGFR PGGLST binder E105 117  FG loop sequence from EGFR TDYKPHADGPHTYHESP binder E105 190  BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(g)DAPTSRYQX_(h) binder E105, wherein X is any amino acid and g and h are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 191  DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(i)GGLSX_(j) binder E105, wherein X is any amino acid and i and j are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 139  FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(k)SYKPHADGPHTYHESX_(l) binder E105, wherein X is any amino acid and k and l are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 192  E105-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDAPTSRYQ having E96 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGLSTATISGLKP extension (N + 10) and a short GVDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINY tail) fused via GS10 linker RTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPR (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to DLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET I1 (with N-terminal extension GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV (N + 8) and Cys tail) with a 6X YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 193  E105-GS10-I1 core, wherein X₁ EVAATPTSLLISWDAPTSRYQYYRITYGET X₁ is optional and when GGNSPVQEFTVPGGLSTATISGLKPGVDYTITV present is selected from the YAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEIDK GS group consisting of SEQ ID GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAAT NOs: 69-77, X₂ is optional and PTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE when present is selected from FTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRFRD the group consisting of SEQ YQPISINYRTX₂ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 194  E105-(PA)_(n)-I1 core, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWDAPTSRYQYYRITYGET X₁ is optional and when GGNSPVQEFTVPGGLSTATISGLKPGVDYTITV present is selected from the YAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRTE(PA)n V group consisting of SEQ ID SDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRI NOs: 69-77, X₂ is optional and TYGETGGNSPVQEFTPKNVYTATISGLKPGVD when present is selected from YTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTX₂ the group consisting of SEQ NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 195  I1-GS10-E105: I/E tandem MGSVDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS10 linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWDAPTSRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E90 (with N-terminal TVPGGLSTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPH extension (N + 8) and Cys tail) ADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH with a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 196  I1-GS10-E105 core, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET X₁ is optional and when GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV present is selected from the YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSG group consisting of SEQ ID SGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDA NOs: 69-77, X₂ is optional and PTSRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGLSTA when present is selected from TISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYH the group consisting of SEQ ESPISINYRTX₂ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 197  I1-(PA)_(n)-E105 core, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET X₁ is optional and when GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV present is selected from the YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VSDVPRDLEV group consisting of SEQ ID VAATPTSLLISWDAPTSRYQYYRITYGETGGNS NOs: 69-77, X₂ is optional and PVQEFTVPGGLSTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVT when present is selected from DYKPHADGPHTYHESPISINYRTX₂ the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 198  E112 EGFR monomer with N- MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDAGAVTYQ terminal extension (N + 10) and YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLK Ser tail with his tag PGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHEYPISIN YRTEIDKPSQHHHHHH 199  E112 EGFR monomer core: EVAATPTSLLISWDAGAVTYQYYRITYGETG E112 monomer without N- GNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVY terminal extension or C- AVTDYKPHADGPHTYHEYPISINYRT terminal tail 200  E112 EGFR monomer, X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWDAGAVTYQYYRITYGET wherein X₁ is selected from the GGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITV group consisting of SEQ ID YAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHEYPISINYRTX₂ NOs: 69-77 and X₂ is selected from the Group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ Is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10; may optionally comprise a his tag 201  BC loop sequence from EGFR SWDAGAVTYQ binder E112 110  DE loop sequence from EGFR PGGVRT binder E112 202  FG loop sequence from EGFR TDYKPHADGPHTYHEYP binder E112 203  BC loop sequence from EGFR X_(g)DAGAVTYQX_(h) binder E1112, wherein X is any amino acid and g and h are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 135  DE loop sequence from EGFR X_(i)GGVRX_(j) binder E112, wherein X is any amino acid and i and j are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 204  FG loop sequence from EGFR X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHEYX_(l) binder E112, wherein X is any amino acid and k and l are independently selected from 0 to 5 amino acids 205  E112-GS10-I1: E/I tandem MGVSDVRPDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDAGAVTYQ having E96 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHEYPISIN tail) fused via GS10 linker YRTEIDK GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to RDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGE I1 (with N-terminal extension TGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTIT (N + 8) and Cys tail) with a 6X VYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 206  E112-GS10-I1 core, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWDAGAVTYQYYRITYGET X₁ is optional and when GGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITV present is selected from the YAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHEYPISINYRTEIDK GS group consisting of SEQ ID GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAAT NOs: 69-77, X₂ is optional and PTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE when present is selected from FTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTRFRD the group consisting of SEQ YQPISINYRTX₂ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 207  E112-(PA)_(n)-I1 core, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWDAGAVTYQYYRITYGET X1 is optional and when GGNSPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITV present is selected from the YAVTDYKPHADGPHTYHEYPISINYRTE(PA)n V group consisting of SEQ ID SDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRI NOs: 69-77, X₂ is optional and TYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVD when present is selected from YTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTX₂ the group consisting of SEQ NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 208  I1-GS10-E112: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a short PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIDK GSG tail) fused via GS10 linker SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP (GS10 is SEQ ID NO: 11) to TSLLISWDAGAVTYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQEF E90 (with N-terminal TVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPH extension (N + 8) and Cys tail) ADGPHTYHEYPISINYRTEIDKPCQHHHHHH with a 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 209  I1-GS10-E112 core, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVARYYRITYGET X₁ is optional and when GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV present is selected from the YAVTRFRDYQPISINEIDK GSGSGSGSGSG group consisting of SEQ ID SGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWDA NOs: 69-77, X₂ is optional and GAVTYQYYRITYGETGGBSPVQEFTVPGGVRT when present is selected from ATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKPHADGPHTY the group consisting of SEQ HEYPISINYRTX₂ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 210  I1-(PA)_(n)-E112 core, wherein X₁ EVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVERYYRITYGET X₁ is optional and when GGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITV present is selected from the YAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTE(PA)n VSDVPRDLEV group consisting of SEQ ID VAATPTSLLISWDAGAVTYQYYRITYGETGGN NOs: 69-77, X₂ is optional and SPVQEFTVPGGVRTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAV when present is selected from TDYKPHADGPHTYHEYPISINYRTX₂ the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, or 78-81, and n = 3, 6 or 9; in exemplary embodiments, X₁ is SEQ ID NO: 69 or 71 and X₂ is SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10 211  I1-GSGCGS8-E5: I/E tandem MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR having I1 (with N-terminal YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTPKNVYTATISGLK extension (N + 10) and a PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIEK GSG modified short tail) fused via CGSGSGSGSGSGSGSG SVSDVPRDLEVVAATP GSGCGS8 linker (GSGCGS8 TSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE is SEQ ID NO: 218) to E5 FTVPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKP (with N-terminal extension HADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEHHHHHH (N + 8) and an E tail) with an optional 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 212  I1-GS10-E5-GSGC: I/E MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR Tandem having I1 (with N- YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTPKNVYTATISGLK terminal extension (N + 10) and PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIEK GSG a modified short tail) fused via SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSG SVSDVPRDLEVVAATP GS10 linker (GS10 is SEQ ID TSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE NO: 11) to E5 (with N- FTVPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKP terminal extension (N + 8) and a HADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEHHHHHH modified Cys tail) with an optional 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) 213  I1(S62C)-GS10-E5: I/E MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR tandem having I1 (with N-

terminal extension (N + 10), an PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIEK GSG S62C substitution (boxed), and SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSVSDVPRDLEVVAATP a modified short tail) fused via TSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE GS10 linker (GS10 is SEQ ID FTVPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKP NO: 11) to E5 (with N- HADGPHTYHESPISIYRTEHHHHHH terminal extension (N + 8) and an E tail) with an optional 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487); position 62 refers to the amino acid corresponding to position 62 of SEQ ID NO: 1 214  I1-GS10-E5(S62C): I/E MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR tandem having I1 (with N- YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK terminal extension (N + 10) and PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIEK GSG a modified short tail) fused via SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP GS10 linker (GS10 is SEQ ID TSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE NO: 11) to E5 (with N-

terminal extension (N + 8), an HADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEHHHHHH S62C substitution (boxed), and an E tail) with an optional 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487); position 62 refers to the amino acid corresponding to position 62 of SEQ ID NO: 1 215  I1(S91C)-GS10-E5: I/E MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR tandem having I1 (with N- YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK terminal extension (N + 10), an

S91C substituion (boxed), and GSGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVRPDLEVVAAT a modified short tail) fused via PTSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQ GS10 linker (GS10 is SEQ ID EFTCPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYK NO: 11) to E5 (with N- PHADGPHTYHESPISINYRTEHHHHHH terminal extension (N + 8) and an E tail) with an optional 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487); position 91 refers to the amino acid corresponding to position 91 of SEQ ID NO: 1 216  I1-GS10-E5(S91C): I/E MGVSDVPRDLEVVAATPTSLLISWSARLKVAR tandem having I1 (with N- YYRITYGETGGNSPVQEFTVPKNVYTATISGLK terminal extension (N + 10) and PGVDYTITVYAVTRFRDYQPISINYRTEIEK GSG a modified short tail) fused via SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS VSDVPRDLEVVAATP GS10 linker (GS10 is SEQ ID TSLLISWWAPVDRYQYYRITYGETGGNSPVQE NO: 11) to E5 (with N- FTVPRDVYTATISGLKPGVDYTITVYAVTDYKP terminal extension (N + 8), an

S91C substitution (boxed), and an E tail) with an optional 6X His tag (SEQ ID NO: 487); position 91 refers to the amino acid corresponding to position 91 of SEQ ID NO: 1 217  Modified short tail EIEK 218  GSGCGS8 Linker GSGCGSGSGSGSGSGSGSGS

Example 1: In Cell Western Assay to Screen for EGFR Activity

In Cell Western assays were developed to screen various single ¹⁰Fn3 clones for the ability to inhibit EGFR activity in order to identify those that could be linked with IGF1R ¹⁰Fn3 binders to construct E/I binders. In Cell Western assays were also used to screen and determine relative potency of specific E/I ¹⁰Fn3 binders. Two In Cell Western assays were developed to measure 1) inhibition of EGF-stimulated EGFR phosphorylation or 2) inhibition of EGF-stimulated ERK phosphorylation. Cells were seeded into poly-D-lysine coated 96-well microtiter plates (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.) at 24,000 cells/well for A431 epidermoid carcinoma or FaDu head & neck carcinoma cells and allowed to adhere overnight. Cells were washed once and then incubated for 24 hours in serum free media. Serial dilutions of the ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were next applied to the cells and incubated for 2-3 hours prior to stimulation with 100 ng/ml EGF for 10 minutes. Following stimulation, cells were fixed for 20 minutes in PBS containing 3.7% formaldehyde and then permeabilized in PBS containing 0.1% triton-X-100 for 15 minutes. Cells were blocked for one hour in Odyssey blocker (Li-Cor Biosciences, Lincoln, Nebr.) and incubated with antibodies to detect either EGFR phosphorylated on tyrosine 1068 (Cell Signaling, Beverly, Mass.) and β-actin (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) or pERK (MAP kinase phosphorylated on tyrosine 202/threonine 204) and total ERK (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, Calif.). After washing three times in PBS containing 0.1% tween-20, secondary antibodies were added (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif. or Rockland, Gilbertsville, Pa.). Cells were washed three times in PBS containing 0.1% tween-20 and imaged on a Li-Cor Odyssey Infrared Imaging System (Li-Cor Biosciences, Lincoln, Nebr.). Each clone was assayed in duplicate or triplicate and values were normalized to β-actin for the pEGFR assay and total ERK for the pERK assay. IC50 values were calculated from linear regression analysis of percent inhibition of maximum signal minus background.

Results yielded various ¹⁰Fn3 clones that had ability to inhibit activity of EGFR, and showed that certain specific E/I ¹⁰Fn3 binders possessed similar activity to the example shown in FIG. 9.

Example 2: Expression of ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

E/I binders were produced by covalently linking an EGFR-binding ¹⁰Fn3 to an IGFIR-binding ¹⁰Fn3 using a glycine-serine linker, thereby generating ¹⁰Fn3 dimers, wherein each ¹⁰Fn3 domain binds to a different target. The IGFIR-binding ¹⁰Fn3 (I1) was previously described as SEQ ID NO: 226 in PCT Publication No. WO 2008/066752. Two novel EGFR-binding ¹⁰Fn3 (E2 and E1) were identified by screening an RNA-protein fusion library, as described in PCT Publication No. WO 2008/066752, for binders to EGFR-Fc (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). The following examples describe results using a variety of His-tagged E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders (non-pegylated): E2-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 25), E1-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 31), I1-GS10-E1 (SEQ ID NO: 28), and I1-GS10-E2 (SEQ ID NO: 22).

The following examples also describe results with the following pegylated, His-tagged E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders: E1-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 55), E2-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 56), E3-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 53), I1-GS10-E1 (SEQ ID NO: 57), I1-GS10-E2 (SEQ ID NO: 58), I1-GS10-E3 (SEQ ID NO: 54), E4-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 120), I1-GS10-E4 (SEQ ID NO: 124), E5-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 128), I1-GS10-E5 (SEQ ID NO: 132), E85-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 149), I1-GS10-E85 (SEQ ID NO: 152), E90-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 164), E96-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 179), E105-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 192), I1-GS10-E105 (SEQ ID NO: 195), E112-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 205), I1-GS10-E112 (SEQ ID NO: 208), I1-GSGCGS8-E5 (SEQ ID NO: 211), I1-GS10-E5-GSGC (SEQ ID NO: 212), I1(S62C)-GS10-E5 (SEQ ID NO: 213), I1-GS10-E5(S62C) (SEQ ID NO: 214), I1(S91C)-GS10-E5 (SEQ ID NO: 215), and I1-GS10-E5(S91C) (SEQ ID NO: 216).

The examples also describe results using a His-tagged IGFRIR ¹⁰Fn3-based binder, I1 (SEQ ID NO: 4), and ten His-tagged EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binders, E2 (SEQ ID NO: 6), E1 (SEQ ID NO: 8), E3 (SEQ ID NO: 52), E4 (SEQ ID NO: 107), E5 (SEQ ID NO: 113, wherein X=Ser and with a His tag at the C-terminus), E5 pegylated (SEQ ID NO: 113, wherein X=Cys and with a His tag at the C-terminus), E85 (SEQ ID NO: 140), E90 (SEQ ID NO: 155), E96 (SEQ ID NO: 170), E105 (SEQ ID NO: 185), and E112 (SEQ ID NO: 198). Examples 32 also describes a variety of E monomers having the sequences set forth in FIG. 45 and including a His tag at the C-terminus.

The various ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were purified using a high throughput protein production process (HTPP). Selected binders were cloned into the pET9d vector in order to generate His6 tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) fusions. DNA was transformed into E. coli HMS174(DE3), and cells were inoculated in 5 ml LB medium containing 50 μg/mL kanamycin in a 24-well format and grown at 37° C. overnight. Fresh 5 ml LB medium (50 μg/mL kanamycin) cultures were prepared for inducible expression by aspirating 200 μl from the overnight culture and dispensing it into the appropriate well. The cultures were grown at 37° C. until A₆₀₀ 0.6-0.9. After induction with 1 mM isopropyl-β-thiogalactoside (IPTG), the culture was grown for another 6 hours at 30° C. and harvested by centrifugation for 10 minutes at 3220×g at 4° C. Cell pellets were frozen at 80° C.

Cell pellets (in 24-well format) were lysed by resuspension in 450 μl of Lysis buffer (50 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, lx Complete™ Protease Inhibitor Cocktail-EDTA free (Roche), 1 mM PMSF, 10 mM CHAPS, 40 mM imidazole, 1 mg/ml lysozyme, 30 ug/ml DNAse, 2 μg/ml aprotonin, pH 8.0) and shaken at room temperature for 1 hour. Lysates were clarified and re-racked into a 96-well format by transfer into a 96-well Whatman GF/D Unifilter fitted with a 96-well, 650 μl catch plate and centrifuged for 5 minutes at 200×g. The clarified lysates were transferred to a 96-well Ni-Chelating Plate that had been equilibrated with equilibration buffer (50 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, 10 mM CHAPS, 40 mM imidazole, pH 8.0) and incubated for 5 minutes. Unbound material was removed by vacuum. The resin was washed 2×0.3 ml/well with Wash buffer #1 (50 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, 5 mM CHAPS, 40 mM imidazole, pH 8.0) with each wash removed by vacuum. Next, the resin was washed with 3×0.3 ml/well with PBS with each wash step removed by vacuum. Prior to elution, each well was washed with 50 μl Elution buffer (PBS+20 mM EDTA), incubated for 5 minutes, and the wash discarded by vacuum. Protein was eluted by applying an additional 100 μl of Elution buffer to each well. After a 30 minute incubation at room temperature, the plate(s) were centrifuged for 5 minutes at 200×g and eluted protein collected in 96-well catch plates containing 5 μl of 0.5 M MgCl₂ affixed to the bottom of the Ni-plates. Eluted protein was quantified using a BCA Protein assay with SEQ ID NO: 2 as the protein standard.

HTPP yielded active ¹⁰Fn3-based binders that were expressed in a soluble form and purified from the soluble fraction of the bacterial cytosol. FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary SDS-PAGE analysis from one of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. SEC analysis on a Superdex 200 5/150 GL in a mobile phase of 100 mM NaPO₄, 100 mM NaSO₄, 150 mM NaCl, pH 6.8 (GE Healthcare) demonstrated predominantly monomeric proteins (see Example 4).

In addition, midscale expression and purification of select ¹⁰Fn3-based binders was performed. The selected binders, fused to a His6 tag (SEQ ID NO: 487), were cloned into a pET9d or pET29 vector and expressed in E. coli HMS174(DE3) or BL212(DE3) (EMD Biosciences, San Diego, Calif.) cells. 20 ml of an inoculum culture (generated from a single plated colony) was used to inoculate 1 liter of LB medium containing 50 μg/mL kanamycin. The culture was grown at 37° C. until A₆₀₀ 0.6-1.0. After induction with 1 mM isopropyl-β-thiogalactoside (IPTG), the culture was grown for another 6 hours at 30° C. Alternatively, expression was carried out at 18° C. after initial growth at 37° C. using autoinduction media (“ONE” medium, EMD Biosciences, San Diego, Calif.). Cell pellets were harvested by centrifugation for 30 minutes at >10,000×g at 4° C. and frozen at 80° C. The cell pellet was resuspended in 25 mL of lysis buffer (20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, lx Complete™ Protease Inhibitor Cocktail-EDTA free (Roche), pH 7.4) using an Ultra-turrax homgenizer on ice. Cell lysis was achieved by high pressure homogenization (>18,000 psi) using a Model M-110S Microfluidizer (Microfluidics). The soluble fraction was separated by centrifugation for 30 minutes at 23,300×g at 4° C. The supernatant was clarified via 0.45 μm filter. The clarified lysate was loaded onto a HisTrap column (GE) pre-equilibrated with 20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, pH 7.4. The column was then washed with 25 column volumes of 20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, pH 7.4, followed by 20 column volumes of 20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, 25 mM imidazole, pH 7.4, and then 35 column volumes of 20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, 40 mM imidazole, pH 7.4. Protein was eluted with 15 column volumes of 20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, 500 mM imidazole, pH 7.4, fractions pooled based on absorbance at A₂₈₀ and dialyzed against 1×PBS, 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.5 or 50 mM NaOAc, 150 mM NaCl, pH4.5. Any precipitate was removed by filtering at 0.22 μm.

Midscale expression and purification yielded highly pure and active proteins that were expressed in a soluble form and purified from the soluble fraction of the bacterial cytosol. SEC analysis on a Superdex 200 10/30GL in a mobile phase of 100 mM NaPO₄, 100 mM NaSO₄, 150 mM NaCl, pH 6.8 (GE Healthcare) demonstrated predominantly monomeric proteins (see Example 4).

Example 3: Pegylation of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

Multi-valent fibronectin based scaffold proteins, such as E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders, can be pegylated with various sizes and types of PEG. To allow for pegylation, the protein is typically modified near the C-terminus by a single point mutation of an amino acid, typically a serine, to a cysteine. PEGylation of the protein at the single cysteine residue is accomplished through conjugation with various maleimide-derivatized PEG forms by combining the derivitized-PEG reagent with the protein solution and incubating. Progress and confirmation of the PEGylation conjugation reaction can be confirmed by SDS-PAGE and/or SE-HPLC methods that separate the non-PEGylated protein from the PEGylated protein.

For example, the construct E2-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 25) was pegylated by replacing a serine that was at position 221 with a cysteine. The resulting construct, SEQ ID NO: 56, was then conjugated with a maleimide-derivatized 40 kDa branched PEG (NOF America Corporation, White Plains, N.Y.). The derivatized PEG reagent was mixed with the protein construct in solution and incubated at pH 7.40 at Room temperature until the reaction was complete, typically 30 minutes or overnight at 4° C. The pH was lowered to pH 4.5 or pH 5.0 by dialysis or rapid desalting using size exclusion column chromotography into in 50 NaOAc, 150 mM NaCl buffer. The mixture of products and excess reactants from the PEGylation reaction were then loaded onto a cation exchange chromotography column at the lowered pH and eluted with a 150 mM to 1 M NaCl gradient. Studies to confirm the pegylation were also conducted as described in the paragraph above. The conjugations can be performed with the His tagged or the His-Tag free versions of the protein.

On occasions in which E coli endotoxin contamination needed to be depleted in the sample, two methods used either separately or in conjunction with one another were employed. The first was to wash the cation exchange column with typically 5 column volumes NaOAc buffer supplemented with 0.5% Triton X-100, followed by 20 column volumes (or more) of the same buffer without Triton X-100. Additionally or in place of this procedure, the protein was passed very slowly through a Sartorius Sartobind® Q filter (Sartorius Stedim Biotech Bohemia, N.Y.).

Two of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders, E2-GS10-I1-cys (with his) (SEQ ID NO: 56) and E3-GS10-I1-Cys (with his) (SEQ ID NO: 53), were pegylated using an alternative procedure. Five ml of an inoculum culture of BL21(DE3) E. coli cells containing a T7 polymerize driven pET29 plasmid encoding either E2-GS10-I1-cys (with his) or E3-GS10-I1-Cys (with his), were generated from a single plated colony and used to inoculate 1 liter of auto-induction media (“ONE” medium, EMD Biosciences, San Diego, Calif.) containing 50 μg/mL kanamycin. Expression was carried out at 18° C. after initial growth at 37° C. and harvested by centrifugation for 10 minutes at ˜10,000×g at 4° C. Cell pellets were frozen at 80° C. The cell pellet was resuspended in 10 mL of lysis buffer (20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, 5 mM Immidazole, pH 7.4) and mechanically lysed using an Avestin homgenizer. The soluble fraction was separated by centrifugation for 15 minutes at 23,300×g at 4° C. The supernatant was decanted and the pellet was solubilized in Lysis buffer (above) supplemented with 4 M to 6 M guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl). Solubilized protein was then purified on a suitably sized NiNTA column (Qiagen, Inc.) pre-equilibrated with the GdnHCL supplemented Lysis Buffer. The column was then washed with 5 to 10 column volumes of the same buffer, followed by elution with the same buffer supplemented with 300 mM Immidazole. The fractions eluted off the column containing the protein of interest were diluted to 2-3 mgs/mL protein and then combined with a 1.2-1.5 molar excess of solid NEM-PEG (40 kDa branched or other). The mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 30 minutes or until the reaction was complete. The entire reaction volume was then placed into a dialysis bag (5,000 Da Molecular Weight cutoff) and the mixture was subjected to a dialysis refolding process. For example, this process may consist of two 10-16 hour 500:1 (buffer: dialysate) dialysis exchanges against 50 mM NaOAc, 150 mm NaCl, pH 4.5. The dialysate from this procedure contains properly folded, PEGylated materials plus excess reactants. The mixture of products and excess reactants from the PEGylation reaction were clarified via centrifugation or filtration prior to loading them onto a cation exchange chromotography column (SP Sepharose or Resource S, GE Healthcare). The column was developed with 150 mM to 1 M NaCl gradient in the NaOAc background buffer. Studies to confirm the pegylation were conducted as described above.

Example 4: Biophysical Characterization of ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

Standard size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was performed on the proteins purified from the HTPP and the midscale processes (0.1 to 1 μg of protein for HTPP and 10-50 ug for midscale). SEC of HTPP derived material was performed using a Superdex 200 5/150 column (GE Healthcare) or on a Superdex 200 10/30 column (GE Healthcare) for midscaled material on an Agilent 1100 or 1200 HPLC system with UV detection at A_(214nm) and A_(280nm) and with fluorescence detection (excitation=280 nm, emission=350 nm). A buffer of 100 mM sodium sulfate, 100 mM sodium phosphate, 150 mM sodium chloride, pH 6.8 at appropriate flow rate of the SEC column employed. Gel filtration standards (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.) were used for molecular weight calibration.

The results of the SEC on the HTPP purified ¹⁰Fn3-based binders showed predominantly monomeric proteins and elution in the approximate range of 25 kDa vs. globular Gel Filtration standards (BioRad).

The results of the SEC on the midscaled purified ¹⁰Fn3-based binders showed predominantly monomeric proteins and elution in the approximate range of 25 kDa vs. globular Gel Filtration standards (BioRad). FIG. 2 depicts exemplary SEC profiles for E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders (I1-GS10-E2 in FIG. 2A and E2-GS10-I1 in FIG. 2B).

Select midscale ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were further analyzed by LC-MS (Water's 2695 liquid chromatography HPLC system coupled with Waters Q-TOF API mass spectrometer, Waters Corporation, Milford, Mass.). Samples were diluted to approximately 0.5 mg/ml with HPLC grade water. Approximately 5 μl of diluted sample was injected onto a Jupiter C18 column (Catalog number 00G-4053-80, Phenomenex). Buffer A: 0.02% TFA+0.08% formic acid in HPLC grade water. Buffer B: 0.02% TFA+0.08% formic acid in HPLC grade acetonitrile. Sample was eluted with gradient (Table 1) at flow rate 0.2 ml/minutes.

TABLE 1 Time % A B % 0 95 5 5.00 75 25 25.00 55 45 30.00 5 95 32.00 95 5 45.00 95 5

HPLC elution was split at approximately to 1:1 ratio and half sent to UV detector and the other half to mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometer had the following instrument settings: capillary voltage 3.5 KV, cone voltage 40, source temperature 80° C., desolvation temperature 250° C., desolvation gas flow 450 and multi channel photo detector voltage 2200. Raw spectra were deconvoluted with MaxEn1 (Waters Corporation).

The molecular weight of I1-GS10-E2 (SEQ ID NO: 22) as measured by LC-MS is 24,445 Dalton, which is within 1 Dalton from the molecular weight calculated from the amino acid composition. This indicates that the protein has the correct amino acid composition and the N terminal methionine is processed. There is no other post translational modification on the protein.

Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of the midscaled I1-GS10-E2 was performed to determine the T_(m). A 1 mg/ml solution was scanned in a N-DSC II calorimeter (calorimetry Sciences Corp) by ramping the temperature from 5° C. to 95° C. at a rate of 1 degree per minute under 3 atm pressure. The data was analyzed versus a control run of the appropriate buffer using a best fit using Origin Software (OrginLab Corp). The results of this assay demonstrate that the E/I binder has a T_(m) of 50.69° C. (see FIG. 3A). Using the same methods, the T_(m) of E2-GS10-I1 (with Peg) was determined to be 50.72° C. and the T_(m) of E2-GS10-I1 (without Peg) was determined to be 56.82° C. (see FIG. 3B).

Example 5: Determination of Binding Affinity

Surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore) analysis was performed on solution-phase ¹⁰Fn3-based binders in order to determine off-rates and/or binding affinities using captured EGFR-Fc and IGF1R-Fc. The extracellular domain of human IGF1R (aa 1-932) was cloned into a mammalian expression vector containing the hinge and constant regions of human IgG1. Transient transfection of the plasmid produced a fusion protein, IGF1R-Fc which was subsequently purified by Protein A chromatography. Recombinant human EGFR-Fc (aa 1-645 of the extracellular domain of human EGFR fused to human Fc) was purchased from R&D systems (Minneapolis, Minn.). IGF1R-Fc was captured on immobilized Protein A whereas EGFR-Fc was captured on immobilized anti-human antibody.

In a typical experiment, anti-human IgG was immobilized on flow cells 1 and 2 of a CM5 chip following the manufacturer's recommendations (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.). EGFR-Fc (50 nM) was injected at 5 uL for 2 minutes on flow cell 2 (Fc2). Two 30 second injections of 3 M MgCl₂ were used for regeneration of the bound EGFR-Fc from the anti-human IgG surface. Protein A was diluted to 80 ug/mL in acetate pH 4.5 and immobilized to ˜3000 RU on flow cells 3 and 4 of a CM5 chip surface. Approximately 1300 RU of IGF1R-Fc was captured on Fc 4. Two 30 second injections of 50 mM glycine pH 1.5 were used to regenerate the surface between samples.

A concentration series of 100 nM to 1 nM of HTPP purified protein (three data points collected) or 300 nM to 0.05 nM of midscale purified protein (eleven data points collected) was evaluated for binding to EGFR-Fc or IGF1R-Fc. Sensorgrams were obtained at each concentration and were evaluated using Biacore T100 Evaluation Software, Version 1.1.1 (GE healthcare/Biacore) to determine the rate constants k_(a) (k_(on)) and k_(d) (k_(off)). For the HTPP evaluation the off-rate was fitted from the 3 point curves. The affinity K_(D) was calculated from the ratio of rate constants k_(off)/k_(on).

The EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were evaluated for specificity in a similar format using anti-human IgG to capture HER2-Fc. The ¹⁰Fn3-based binders did not show any discernible binding to captured HER2-Fc under conditions where robust binding was seen for EGFR-Fc.

As shown in Table 2, both domains of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders are functional, retaining their binding properties to the respective targets. The off rates shown in Table 2 are from midscale material and are similar to the qualitative results obtained with the HTPP material.

TABLE 2 Summary of binding constants for ¹⁰Fn3-based binders Target Protein ka (1/Ms) kd (1/s) K_(D) (nM) EGFR-Fc E1 1.19E+05 1.18E−03 9.92 1.43E+05 1.89E−03 13.2 E1-GS10-I1 6.29E+04 4.74E−04 7.53 3.82E+04 3.89E−04 10.17 I1-GS10-E1 1.26E+05 6.03E−04 4.8 4.13E+04 4.25E−04 10.28 E2 3.73E+05 2.72E−04 0.73 3.27E+05 3.2E−04 0.98 E2-GS10-I1 3.93E+05 1.75E−04 0.45 3.75E+05 1.67E−04 0.45 I1-GS10-E2 6.47E+05 1.42E−04 0.22 3.90E+05 1.14E−04 0.29 E3 2.83E+05 3.98E−04 3.4 1.4 E3-GS10-I1 3.49E+05 2.29E−04 0.66 I1-GS10-E3 1.17E+05 2.91E−04 2.48 IGF1R-Fc I1 3.84E+06 4.34E−04 0.11 E1-GS10-I1 5.13E+05 3.38E−04 0.66 I1-GS10-E1 1.47E+06 3.98E−04 0.27 E2-GS10-I1 1.24E+06 3.95E−04 0.32 I1-GS10-E2 3.82E+06 4.79E−04 0.13 E3-GS10-I1 1.8E+06 2.09E−04 0.12 I1-GS10-E3 1.37E+06 4.54E−05 0.03

Example 6: Inhibition of IGFR Activity in H292 Cells

The ability of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders to inhibit phosphorylation of IGF1R on tyrosine 1131 was determined using an H292 cell in vitro assay. Briefly, 65×10³ H292 cells were plated in 96-well microplates (Biocoat Poly-D-Lysine coated 96-well plate, cat#356640, Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.) in RPMI-1640 culture medium containing 10 mM Hepes pH 7.4 and 10% fetal bovine serum. Cells were allowed to adhere for 24 hours at 37° C., 5% CO₂. The next day cells were washed once with 200 microliters per well of serum free RPMI-1640 and incubated overnight in 100 μL per well of serum free RPMI-1640. Serial dilutions of HTPP material was added and cells were incubated for an additional 3 hours. Cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml of IGF-1 (cat#500-P11, PeproTech, Rocky Hill, N.J.) for 10 minutes at 37° C. Media was dumped from the plate and 100 μL of cell lysis buffer (Cell Signaling cat#9803, Beverly, Mass.) was added to each well. Cells were incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow lysis and lysate was transferred to a phospho-IGFR ELISA (cat#7302, Cell Signaling, Beverly, Mass.). The manufacturer's procedure was followed to carry out the ELISA.

As demonstrated in FIG. 4, His tagged E1-GS10-I1 inhibited IGF1-stimulated phosphorylation of the IGF1R (IC₅₀=0.004 uM) with comparable potency to the isolated IGF1R binder, I1 (IC₅₀=0.018 uM). The EGFR binder, E1, alone had very little effect on IGF1R phosphorylation (IC₅₀>3.5 uM). As shown in FIG. 9, additional E/I binders demonstrated ability to inhibit IGF1R-stimulated phosphorylation with an IC₅₀ in the range of 0.1 nM to 19 nM, including several pegylated E/I binders that were tested. In particular, for the pegylated E/I binders E1-GS10-I1, and I1-GS10-E1, inhibition of pIGFR was shown at 0.9 nM and 4 nM, respectively. For pegylated E/I binders E2-GS10-I1 and I1-GS10-E2, inhibition of pIGFR was shown at 0.3 nM and 0.8 nM, respectively.

Example 7: Inhibition of EGFR Activity in H292 Cells

The ability of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders to inhibit phosphorylation of the EGFR on tyrosine 1068 was determined using an H292 cell in vitro assay. The assay was carried out as described in Example 6, except that cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml of EGF (cat#236-EG-200, R & D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) and a phospho-EGFR ELISA was performed (cat#7240, Cell Signaling, Beverly, Mass.). The manufacturer's procedure was followed to carry out the ELISA.

As demonstrated in FIG. 5, His-tagged E1-GS10-I1 inhibited EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of the EGFR (IC₅₀=0.020 uM) with comparable potency to the isolated EGFR binder, E1 (IC₅₀=0.007 uM). The IGF1R binder, I1 alone had very little effect on EGFR phosphorylation (IC₅₀>6.21 uM). As shown in FIG. 9, additional E/I binders demonstrated ability to inhibit EGF-stimulated phosphorylation with an IC₅₀ in the range of 7 nM to 127 nM, including several pegylated E/I binders that were tested. In particular, for pegylated E2-GS10-I1 and I1-GS10-E2, inhibition of pEGFR was shown at 32 nM and 47 nM, respectively. Similar data is shown in FIG. 11 for the pegylated E/I binders E2-GS10-I1, and I1-GS10-E2.

Example 8: Inhibition of EGF+IGF1-induced pAKT in H292 Cells

The ability of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders to inhibit phosphorylation of AKT on serine 473 was determined using an H292 cell in vitro assay. The assay was carried out as described in Example 6, except that cells were simultaneously stimulated with both EGF and IGF1 as described above and lysates were analyzed with a phospho-AKT ELISA (cat#7160, Cell Signaling, Beverly, Mass.). The manufacturer's procedure was followed to carry out the ELISA.

Signal transduction at EGFR and IGF1R feeds into the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and stimulates phosphorylation of AKT. As demonstrated in FIG. 6, E1-GS10-I1 inhibited EGF and IGF1-stimulated phosphorylation of AKT in H292 cells. The E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder was slightly more potent in its ability to block AKT activation (IC₅₀=0.004 uM) than the IGF1R binder, I1, by itself (IC₅₀=0.031 uM). The EGFR binder, E1, exhibited only modest activity in its ability to block AKT activation by both ligands (IC₅₀=1.28 uM). As shown in FIG. 9, additional E/I binders demonstrated ability to inhibit EGF and IGF1-stimulated phosphorylation of AKT with an IC₅₀ in the range of 0.1 nM to 26 nM, including several pegylated E/I binders that were tested.

Example 9: Inhibition of Cell Proliferation in RH41 and H292 Cells

E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were evaluated for antiproliferative activity in the H292 non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line, which depends on EGFR signaling for growth, or the RH41 Ewing sarcoma cell line, which depends on IGF1R signaling for growth. Antiproliferative activity of binders was assessed in monolayer cultures by staining cellular DNA with the CyQuantNF fluorescent stain (cat#C35006, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Briefly, 2×10³ H292 or 5×10³ RH41 cells were plated into 96-well microplates (View Plates 96F cat#6005225, Perkin-Elmer, Waltham, Mass.) in RPMI-1640 culture medium containing 10 mM Hepes pH 7.4 and 10% fetal bovine serum and allowed to adhere for 24 hours at 37° C., 5% CO₂. Cells were maintained as exponentially growing monolayers and remained in logarithmic growth phase during the period of the assay without reaching confluence during the course of the assay. Twenty-four hours after plating, serial dilutions of midscale material was added and cells were incubated for an additional 72 hours. Following this incubation, cells were treated with CyQuantNF reagent and allowed to incorporate dye into cellular DNA for 1 hour at 37° C. Total DNA was quantified by reading fluorescence at 485 nm excitation and 530 nm emission on a CytoFluor 4000 instrument (Applied Biosystems, Framingham, Mass.). Total time that cells were exposed to drug was 72 hours. Standard compounds were included in each experiment to verify assay performance and reproducibility. Linear regression analysis of the percent of inhibition by test compound was used to determine IC₅₀ values.

As demonstrated in FIG. 7, in RH41 cells, His-tagged E1-GS10-I1 inhibited proliferation with comparable potency (IC₅₀=0.009 uM) to the IGFR binder, I1 (IC₅₀=0.028 uM). The EGFR binder, E1, by itself had very little effect on the proliferation in this cell line (IC₅₀>12.5 uM).

As demonstrated in FIG. 8, in H292 cells, His-tagged E2-GS10-I1 inhibited proliferation with greater potency (IC₅₀=0.329 uM) than the IGFR binder, I1, (IC₅₀=0.699 uM) or the EGFR binder, E2 (IC₅₀=0.553 uM). See Table 4 below for the IC₅₀ values for the E and I monomers.

Example 10: Competitive EGF Ligand Binding Assay

The E/I binders E1-GS10-I1, I1-GS10-E1, E2-GS10-I1 and I1-GS10-E2 (HTPP material) were tested in an EGF ligand binding cell-based competition assay in A431 cells and compared to EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binders E1 and E2 (midscale material). A431 cells were plated at 15000 cells/well in 96-well plates in DMEM+10% FBS and incubated 48 hours. Cells were washed with starvation media (DMEM+0.1% BSA) and incubated in starvation media for 1 hour. Starvation media was removed and replaced with ¹⁰Fn3-based binders that were diluted in starvation media and cells were pre-incubated for 30 minutes at 37° C. to allow proteins to bind to EGF receptors on cell surfaces. 10 nM final concentration of Europium (Eu)-labeled EGF (Perkin Elmer, Boston, Mass.) diluted in starvation media was added to pre-incubated cells and plates were incubated for 3 hours at 4° C. in the dark. Plates were washed twice with cold PBS and 50 ul/well of Enhancement solution (Perkin Elmer, Boston, Mass.) was added to plates and incubated 1 hour at 37° C. Plates were read on the Flexstation II (Molecular Devices). The data was plotted with Softmax plus software and IC₅₀ values, i.e., the concentration of ¹⁰Fn3-based binders required to inhibit 50% of the Eu-EGF ligand from binding to the EGF receptor on the cell surfaces, were calculated.

The results for E2 and E1 compared with E2-GS10-I1, I1-GS10-E2, E1-GS10-I1 and I1-GS10-E1 are summarized in Table 3. This data indicates that the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders compete with, and inhibit the binding of, EGF to the EGFR receptor on A431 cells with similar potency to the EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. See Table 4 below for the IC₅₀ values for the E and I monomers.

TABLE 3 Summary of IC50 values for inhibition of EGF Binding to EGFR on A431 cell surfaces Protein IC50 (nM) E2 7 E1 14 E2-GS10-I1 1.8 I1-GS10-E2 1.4 E1-GS10-I1 14.6 I1-GS10-E1 7

Example 11: Activation and Signaling Activity in Cell-Based Assays

Target effects of the various E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were evaluated in DiFi colon carcinoma cells by immunoblotting. Cells were seeded at 4×10⁵ cells in each 25 cm² flask and incubated overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. The next day, treatments were initiated and cells were further incubated for various times from 1.5 to 120 hours. Cells were then lysed in HNTG (50 mM Hepes, 150 mM NaCl, 0.5% triton-X-100, 8% glycerol, 2 mM Na₃VO₄, 1.5 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM EDTA containing the protease inhibitors AEBSF, aprotinin, leupeptin, bestatin, pepstatin-A and E64) and total protein was quantified with the BCA protein assay (Pierce, Waltham, Mass.). Levels of total EGFR, total IGF1R and the phosphorylation state of the EGFR, MAP kinase protein ERK1/2 isoforms, was detected by SDS-PAGE analysis of 20 micrograms of total protein followed by transfer of proteins to nitrocellulose and immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Blots were also probed with β-actin to demonstrate equal loading of each sample.

The pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders E1-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 55), E2-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 56), and E3-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 53), demonstrated the ability to degrade EGFR in this assay. In addition, for E3-GS10-I1 (SEQ ID NO: 53), degradation of IGF1R was also observed. The effect on EGFR degradation for the pegylated binder E2-GS10-I1 is shown in FIG. 10, as are other effects on signaling molecules. Additionally, the non-pegylated version of the binder E2-GS10-I1 demonstrated similar EGFR degradation (data not shown). FIG. 10 shows that for the pegylated binder I1-GS10-E2, there was no EGFR degradation. Table 4 below summarizes various properties of the E monomers.

TABLE 4 Summary of properties of E monomers. EGFR Inhibition Inhibition of BIAcore Neutralizes Inhibition of of H292 Mon- KD EGF Binding pEGFR PERK Proliferation omer IC50 IC50 IC50 IC50 IC50 E1 14.6 nM 0.53 nM 18 nM 17 nM 18 nM E2  1.4 nM 1.46 nM 20 nM 40 nM 30 nM E3 0.72 nM 0.87 nM 11 nM 97 nM 26 nM

Example 12: Evaluation of Certain E/I ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders on H292 Tumor Xenografts Grown in Nude Mice

The pegylated E/I binders E2-GS10-I1 and E3-GS10-I1 as well as the monoclonal antibody panitumumab were evaluated in an H292 tumor xenograft model. For in vivo models, panitumumab was obtained as the marketed drug and E/I binders were purified as described above. In vitro activity of all E/I binders was validated prior to administration in animals by testing functionality of each end in the EGF-stimulated pEGFR and the IGF1-stimulated pIGFR assay in H292 cells. E/I binders were diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at the beginning of the experiment and stored at 2-4° C. for the duration of each study. Both compounds were administered i.p. in a total volume of 500 μl/inj/mouse and were equilibrated to room temperature prior to administration.

Mice and Tumor Propagation.

Female athymic (nude) mice 5-6 weeks of age were obtained from Harlan Sprague-Dawley Co. (Indianapolis, Ind.). and were quarantined for approximately 3 weeks prior to their use for tumor propagation or drug efficacy testing. The animals were provided food and water ad libitum. Animal care was performed in keeping with AAALAC and Bristol-Myers Squibb guidelines. Tumors were propagated by subcutaneous (s.c.) implantation in nude mice. Tumor passages occurred approximately every two to four weeks.

In Vivo Antitumor Testing.

Estimated tumor weight was calculated using the formula: Tumor weight (mg)=(w²*l)/2; where w=width and l=length in mm. Antitumor activity was evaluated in terms of % tumor growth inhibition (TGI) where a % TGI of >50% was considered active. Relative % tumor growth inhibition was calculated as % TGI=[(C_(t)−T_(t))/(C_(t)−C₀)]×100 where C_(t)=median tumor weight of control mice at time t in days after tumor implant, T_(t)=median tumor weight of treated mice at time t, C₀=median tumor weight of control mice at time 0. % TGI value was calculated at various time points beginning after 1.5 tumor volume doubling times and sustained over a time period of 3 tumor volume doubling times (TVDT) where possible. Where, TVDT=median time (days) for control tumors to reach target size—median time (days) for control tumors to reach half the target size. The definition of a cured mouse was one whose tumor was undetectable, or <35 mg, when assessed more than 10 TVDTs post-treatment. The dose of a compound which yielded the maximum therapeutic effect, was termed the optimal dose (OD). Treatment groups (typically 8 mice) with more than one death attributable to drug toxicity were considered to have had excessively toxic treatments and their data were not used in the evaluation of antitumor activity. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is defined as the dose level immediately below which excessive toxicity (i.e. more than one death) occurred. Treated mice dying prior to having their tumors reach target size were considered to have died from drug toxicity. Statistical evaluations of data were performed using Gehan's generalized Wilcoxon test (Gehan, E A, A Generalized Wilcoxon Test for Comparing Arbitrarily Slightly-Censored Samples, Biometrika 52:203-223, 1965).

Measurement of pharmacodynamic endpoints in tumors. Tumors were harvested from untreated or drug treated mice and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen. Samples were weighed and homogenized in 10 μl of lysis buffer (50 mM Hepes, 150 mM NaCl, 0.5% triton-X-100, 8% glycerol, 2 mM Na₃VO₄, 1.5 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM EDTA containing one complete mini protease inhibitor tablet Sigma #S8820 per 15 ml buffer and phosphatase inhibitor cocktail Sigma #P5726) for each mg of tissue. Tissues were minced in a 100 mm petri dish with two scalpels, transferred to Falcon#2059 polypropylene round bottom tubes and macerated with a hand held homogenizer for 30 seconds. Homogenate was transferred to 1.5 ml eppendorf tubes and centrifuged at 15000×g for 2 minutes in a microfuge. Clarified supernatant was transferred to a new tube and total protein concentration was determined with the Pierce BCA protein assay (Pierce Biotechnology). Samples were analyzed by immunoblotting or on a Meso scale MSD Sector Imager 6000 multi spot assay system as recommended by the manufacturer (Meso Scale Discovery, Gaithersburg, Md.).

The pegylated E/I binders E2-GS10-I1 and E3-GS10-I1 were tested in an H292 NSCLC in athymic mice. Tumors were implanted subcutaneously with 1 mm³ H292 tumor fragments in the hind flank and allowed to establish to a size of 50-150 mg prior to initiation of treatment on Day 6 post-tumor implant. The pegylated E/I binders were administered i.p. at a dose of 100 mg/kg on a TIWX3 schedule to assess antitumor activity. Panitumumab was obtained as marketed drug and administered i.p. at its optimal dose of 1 mg/mouse and at a lower dose of 0.1 mg/mouse on a Q3DX5 schedule. Mean tumor sizes calculated from groups of 8 mice are shown in FIG. 12A. The 1 mg/mouse and 0.1 mg/mouse doses of panitumumab were both active by % TGI with values of 101% and 100%, respectively and these values were significantly different from control animals (p=0.0002, Table 5). Pegylated E2-GS10-I1 was also significantly active by % TGI with a value of 96% (p=0.0005). Pegylated E3-GS10-I1 was not active in this study with a % TGI value of 31% that was not statistically different from the control group (p=0.416). Post dosing analysis indicated that approximately two thirds of the pegylated E3-GS10-I1 was aggregated (66.64% aggregation/33.36% monomer for one batch and 72.53% aggregation/27.47% monomer for another batch) which could account for the poor activity of pegylated E3-GS10-I1 in this assay. In contrast, the pegylated E2-GS10-I1 showed only a small percentage of aggregation in post dosing studies (1.79% aggregation/98.21% monomer).

All treatments were well tolerated with no treatment related deaths or excessive weight loss over the course of the study. Clinical observations revealed no evidence of toxicity and the average weight change over the course of therapy was within acceptable limits (FIG. 12B).

TABLE 5 Results of the H292 human tumor xenograft study Schedule, Dose AVE weight p value for Outcome Group Compound Route (mg/kg) change (g) % TGI % TGI by % TGI 1 Control (untreated) — — 5.3 — 1.0 — 2 panitumumab q3d × 5; 6   1 mg/mse 9.6 101 0.0002 A ip^(a) 3 panitumumab q3d × 5; 6 0.1 mg/mse 6.3 100 0.0002 A ip^(a) 4 E2-GS10-I1 (w/ PEG) TIW × 3; 6 100 −0.1 94 0.0005 A ip^(a) 5 E3-GS10-I1 (w/ PEG) TIW × 3; 6 100 9.5 28 0.416 I ip^(a) ^(a)Vehicle was phosphate buffered saline. Abbreviations used are as follows: ip, intraperitoneal route; % TGI, relative % tumor growth inhibition calculated as % TGI = [(Ct − Tt)/(Ct − C0)] × 100 where Ct = median tumor weight of control mice at time t in days after tumor implant, Tt = median tumor weight of treated mice at time t, C0 = median tumor weight of control mice at time 0. % TGI value was calculated at two points as the average inhibition of Day 12 and Day20. Outcome, a treatment regimen was considered active if it produced a statistically significant % TGI value of >50%; q3d × 5; 6, compound was administered every three days for five doses starting on the sixth day after tumor implant; TIW × 3; 6, compound was administered three times a week for three weeks starting on the sixth day after tumor implant. p values were calculated on Day 20 relative to the control group in a two tailed paired analysis with 8 measurements per group. Outcome by % TGI, A = active and I = inactive.

Pharmacodynamic Endpoints from the H292 Tumor Study.

Samples of tumors from untreated control, panitumumab and E/I binder treated groups were analyzed for levels of phosphorylated EGFR, ErbB2 and IGFR that would indicate target suppression. Tumors were also analyzed for levels of total EGFR to determine if EGF receptor degradation occurred. On day 20, a final treatment was administered and tumors were removed from 2 animals at 1 hour after dosing, 3 animals at 4 hours after dosing and 3 animals at 24 hours after dosing. All treatments showed marked suppression of phosphorylated EGFR and ErbB2 while the basal levels of phosphorylated IGFR were too low to discern a difference in this study (FIG. 13). All treatments showed a reduction in the amount of total EGFR indicating degradation of the receptor had occurred.

Example 13: Selection and Characterization of MCF7 Cells Resistant to IGF1R Inhibitor

MCF7 cells (American Type Culture Collection, Cat No. HTB-22, Manassas, Va.) were cultured in RPMI medium containing 10 mM hepes and 10% FBS at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO₂. The small molecule IGF1R inhibitor BMS-754807 was added to the culture medium and the concentration increased at stepwise increments over a period of 10 months until the cells exhibited continued proliferation in the presence of 200 mM BMS-754807. The resistant cells were designated MCF7r and the IC50 for BMS-754807 was 1239 nM compared to 120 nM for the parental MCF7 cells as measured in a proliferation assay carried out as previously described (Carboni et al., Cancer Res. 69: 161-170 (2009)). The drug was then removed from the culture medium and the MCF7r cells were passaged in complete medium for an additional 20 or 60 days to remove all traces of residual BMS-754807. Analysis of the MCF7r cells by immunoblotting revealed that EGFR was significantly overexpressed in the resistant cells compared to the parental MCF7 cells (FIG. 14). In addition, when MCF7 and MCF7r cells were serum starved and then stimulated with EGF for 7 minutes, phosphorylated EGFR could not be detected in the parental MCF7 cells (probably due to low levels of EGFR) but was strongly visible in MCF7r cells. In serum starved cells stimulated with IGF ligand, phosphorylated IGFR was seen in the parental MCF7 cells but despite the slightly higher levels of total IGFR present in the MCF7r cells almost no pIGFR was observed. This shows that the IGFR in the resistant MCF7r cells lost the ability to activate IGFR in response to IGF1 stimulation (FIG. 14). Activation of the MAP kinase pathway in response to EGF stimulation was stronger in the MCF7r cells as measured by pERK activation.

Example 14: Antitumor Studies in MCF7 and MCF7r Xenografts

MCF7r cells were scaled up in T75 flasks and isolated by centrifugation. Viable cell numbers were measured by trypan blue exclusion with a Vi-CELL XR (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, Calif.), resuspended in PBS to 5×10⁶ viable cells/ml and implanted subcutaneously in the hind flank of athymic mice in a volume of 0.2 ml. For MCF7 and MCF7r tumor growth, all mice were supplemented with 0.25 mg 90 day release pellets of 17-β-estradiol (Innovative Research of America, Sarasota, Fla., Cat. No. NE-121). Tumors were propagated until they reached a median size of 500-1000 mg when they were excised and 1 mm³ fragments were reimplanted in the hind flank of new athymic mice. Tumors were adapted for solid tumor growth by serial trocar passage in mice through at least four rounds of growth during which tumor volume doubling time and take rate were monitored for each passage. Growth characteristics were observed to determine if the xenografts exhibited acceptable properties to serve as a reliable, reproducible model. The MCF7r tumor type demonstrated an acceptable take rate and doubling time and therefore satisfied the criteria for use as a xenograft model. The MCF7 parental tumor model had been previously established using the same techniques. For the MCF7 parental xenograft, 1 mm³ tumor fragments were implanted subcutaneously in the hind flank and allowed to establish to a size of 50-150 mg prior to initiation of treatment on Day 13 post-tumor implant. Cetuximab was obtained as marketed drug and administered i.p. at its optimal dose of 1 mg/mouse and at a lower dose of 0.1 mg/mouse on a Q3DX5 schedule (doses administered on Day 13, 16, 19, 22, 25). Mean tumor sizes calculated from groups of 8 mice are shown in FIG. 15A. In the MCF7 xenograft model, neither the 1 mg/mouse or the 0.1 mg/mouse dose of cetuximab was active by % TGI with values of −9% and 3.2%, respectively and the tumor sizes were not statistically different from the control group (Table 6).

For the MCF7r resistant xenograft, 1 mm³ tumor fragments were implanted subcutaneously in the hind flank and allowed to establish to a size of 50-150 mg prior to initiation of treatment on Day 6 post-tumor implant. Cetuximab was obtained as marketed drug and administered i.p. at its optimal dose of 1 mg/mouse and at a lower dose of 0.1 mg/mouse on a Q3DX5 schedule (doses administered on Day 6, 9, 12, 15, 18). Mean tumor sizes calculated from groups of 8 mice are shown in FIG. 15B. In the MCF7r xenograft model, doses of cetuximab were active by % TGI with values of 105% and 75%, respectively. The high dose of cetuximab had a TGI value over 100% which indicates that it caused tumor regression below the starting size at the initiation of treatment. Both doses resulted in a statistically significant difference in tumor size compared to the control group (Table 7).

TABLE 6 Results of the MCF7 human breast carcinoma tumor xenograft study. Schedule, Dose p value for Outcome Group Compound Route (mg/mouse) % TGI % TGI by % TGI 1 Control (untreated) — — — 1.0 — 2 cetuximab q3d × 5; 13 ip^(a)   1 mg/mse −9 0.223 I 3 cetuximab q3d × 5; 13 ip^(a) 0.1 mg/mse 3.2 0.220 I ^(a)Vehicle was phosphate buffered saline. Abbreviations used are as follows: ip, intraperitoneal route; % TGI, relative % tumor growth inhibition calculated as % TGI = [(Ct − Tt)/(Ct − C0)] × 100 where Ct = median tumor weight of control mice at time t in days after tumor implant, Tt = median tumor weight of treated mice at time t, C0 = median tumor weight of control mice at time 0. % TGI value was calculated at three points as the average inhibition of Day 20, 24 and Day 27. Outcome, a treatment regimen was considered active if it produced a statistically significant % TGI value of >50%; q3d × 5; 13, compound was administered every three days for six doses starting on the thirteenth day after tumor implant. p values were calculated on Day 24 relative to the control group in a two tailed paired analysis with 8 measurements per group. Outcome by % TGI, A = active and I = inactive.

TABLE 7 Results of the MCF7r human breast carcinoma tumor xenograft study. Schedule, Dose p value for Outcome Group Compound Route (mg/kg) % TGI % TGI by % TGI 1 Control (untreated) — — — 1.0 — 2 cetuximab q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a)   1 mg/mse 105 0.001 A 3 cetuximab q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 0.1 mg/mse 75 0.024 A See footnotes to Table 6. p values were calculated on Day 19 relative to the control group in a two tailed paired analysis with 8 measurements per group.

Example 15: Antitumor Studies in GEO Xenografts

GEO tumors were established by implanting 1 mm³ tumor fragments subcutaneously in the hind flank of athymic mice and allowing them to reach a size of 50-150 mg prior to initiation of treatment on Day 18 post-tumor implant. Cetuximab was administered ip at 0.25 mg/mouse on a Q3DX5 schedule (doses administered on Day 18, 21, 24, 27, 30). The IGFR kinase inhibitor BMS-754807 was administered at 25 mg/kg on a QDX21 schedule. Mean tumor sizes calculated from groups of 8 mice are shown in FIG. 16. Cetuximab was active at 0.25 mg/mouse with a % TGI value of 67%. BMS-754807 was active with a % TGI of 80% and the combination of the two was considerably more active then either agent alone with a % TGI of 94% (Table 8). All treatment groups were statistically different from the control group on Day 26 (Table 8).

TABLE 8 Results of the GEO human colon carcinoma tumor xenograft study. Cetuximab Dose BMS-754807 Schedule, (mg/ Schedule, Dose p Outcome Group Route mouse) Route (mg/kg) % TGI value by % TGI Synergy 1 Control — — — — — — — (untreated) 2 q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 0.25 mg/ — 80 A — mse 3 — — qd × 21; 18^(b) 25 67 A — 4 q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 0.25 mg/ qd × 21; 18^(b) 25 94 A YES mse ^(a)Vehicle for cetuximab was phosphate buffered saline. Vehicle for BMS-754807 was 50% polyethylene glycol 400, 50% water. Abbreviations used are as described in Table 6 and synergy is defined as statistically significant activity that is better than either agent in the combination demonstrated on its own. Outcome by % TGI, A = active and I = inactive.

Example 16: Antitumor Studies in H292 Xenografts

H292 cells were implanted subcutaneously in the hind flank of athymic mice as 1 mm³ fragments and allowed to establish to a size of 50-150 mg prior to initiation of treatment on Day 12 post-tumor implant. Cetuximab was administered ip at 0.1 mg/mouse on a Q3DX5 schedule. MAB391 is an antibody to IGF1R (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn., Cat. No. MAB391) and was administered at a dose of 40 mg/kg on a BIWX3 schedule. Mean tumor sizes calculated from groups of 8 mice are shown in FIG. 17. Cetuximab was active at 0.1 mg/mouse with a % TGI value of 95.1% and MAB391 was inactive at 40 mg/kg with a % TGI value of 10.5% (Table 9). Mice dosed with the combination of cetuximab and MAB391 exhibited a % TGI value of 109.2% indicating tumor regression in the combination group (Table 9). After dosing ceased, tumors regrew in the cetuximab treated group more rapidly than in the group treated with the combination of cetuximab and MAB391 (FIG. 17).

TABLE 9 Results of the H292 human NSCLC tumor xenograft study. Cetuximab Dose MAB391 Schedule, (mg/ Schedule, Dose p Outcome Group Route mouse) Route (mg/kg) % TGI value by % TGI Synergy 1 Control — — — — — — — (untreated) 2 q3d × 5; 12 ip^(a) 0.1 mg/ — 95.1 A — mse 3 — — BIW × 3; 12^(a) 40 10.5 I — 4 q3d × 5; 12 ip^(a) 0.1 mg/ BIW × 3; 12^(a) 40 109.2 A YES mse ^(a)Vehicle for cetuximab and MAB391 was phosphate buffered saline. Abbreviations used are as described in Table 6 and 8.

Example 17: Colony Formation Assay

To determine the effects of test compounds on the ability to inhibit colony formation of H292 cells, 400 cells were seeded into 24-well plates (Becton-Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J., Cat. No. 351143) in complete medium and allowed to adhere overnight. The next day medium was removed and replaced with medium containing 2% FBS. Test compound was diluted into medium containing 2% FBS and added to cells in serial dilutions. Cells were incubated at 37° C. for 14 days. After 14 days, media was discarded and wells rinsed once with 2 ml PBS. Cells were stained with 0.5 ml Coomassie Stain Solution (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif., Cat. No. 161-0436) for 20 min. The stain was aspirated and wells were washed quickly with 1× Destain Solution Coomassie R-250 (Bio-Rad, Cat. No. 161-0438). A final rinse with 1 ml water per well was carried out and plates were inverted and allowed to dry. Colonies consisting of (at least) 50 cells or larger were counted by eye under low power magnification (10×-20×). All samples were tested in triplicate and IC50 values were calculated from linear regression of the percent inhibition of control. Representative results for a PEGylated E/I binder are shown in FIG. 18 and IC50 values for various E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders, monospecific IGF1R ¹⁰Fn3-based binder, and EGFR antibody is shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 IC50 values of various E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders, monospecific IGF1R ¹⁰Fn3-based binder, and EGFR antibody in the colony formation assay. IC50 SAMPLE (nM) E4-GS10-I1 (with Peg) 5 I1-GS10-E5 (with Peg) 1 I1-GS10-E4 6 E2-GS10-I1 (with Peg) 560 I1 monomer (with 15,510 Peg) panitumumab 140

Example 18: Epitope Mapping Assay

An epitope mapping assay was developed utilizing commercially available antibodies where the binding site on the EGFR extracellular domain is roughly known according to various literature reports. The antibodies used in this assay are listed in Table 11 and FIG. 19A depicts how antibodies were localized to approximate binding domains on EGFR. The assay is a variation of the In Cell Western assay previously described and assesses the ability of EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binders preincubated with A431 or other cells expressing EGFR to block binding of the detection antibodies from the panel listed in Table 11. The assay was carried out as follows: A431 cells in log phase growth were harvested by trypsinization and seeded in a 96 well plate at 24,000 cells/well in a total volume of 100 μl/well. The next day, media was dumped and the EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binders diluted in cold DMEM base media were added to the plate and allowed to bind for 1 hour at 4° C. to prevent internalization of EGFR. After binding, cells were washed with 0.2 ml PBS+0.1% Tween-20 and fixed for 20 minutes in PBS+3.7% formaldehyde at room temp. Cells were blocked in 0.2 ml of Odyssey blocking buffer for 1 hour at room temp. Next, primary antibodies were diluted in 50 μl of Odyssey blocker per well and incubated for 1-2 hours at room temp. Primary antibodies were dumped by inverting the plate, and each well washed 3× with 200 μl of PBS+0.1% Tween-20. Secondary antibodies are the same ones used in the In Cell Western assay and were appropriate for the species of antibody being detected. These secondary antibodies were diluted (1:800) in Odyssey Blocker+0.2% Tween-20 and added in a volume of 50 μl per well along with TOPRO3 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif., cat#T3605) diluted at (1:3000) to counterstain cells for normalization. Cells were incubated on bench for 1 hour at room temp. Secondary antibody was dumped out and each well washed 4× with 200 μl of PBS+0.1% Tween-20 for 5 minutes at room temp. Plates were imaged on a Licor instrument at 160 μm resolution, medium quality, focus offset of 3 mm, intensity of 5. This assay was also carried out with the marketed drug antibodies cetuximab, panitumumab and nimotuzumab to determine if the EGFR¹⁰Fn3-based binders were interfering with their binding to EGFR on A431 cells. Representative results are shown in FIG. 19B.

TABLE 11 Commercially available antibodies to the extracellular domain of EGFR. SUPPLIER Binding Clone and cat# SPECIES BINDS EPITOPE motif  1 Abcam ab38165 Rab h Peptide AA 42-58 linear  2 E234 Abcam ab32198 Rab h,mu,rat Peptide AA 40-80 linear (No ICC)  3 N-20 Santa Cruz #31155 Goat IgG h AA 110-160 linear  4 ICR10 Abcam ab231 Rat IgG2a h(HN5) AA 124-176^(b), conf Santa Cruz #57095 neutralizing^(e)  5 EGFR1 Abcam ab30 Mu IgG1 h(A431) AA 176-294, Chemicon MAB88910 neutralizing^(b) Labvision MS-311 ab30&MAB88910@ conf (1 mg/ml)  6 199.12 Labvision MS-396-P Mu IgG2a h AA 124-176, conf non-neutralizing^(b)  7 LA22 Upstate 05-104 Mu IgG2a h(A431) AA 351-364, linear neutralizing^(a)  8 Abcam ab15669 Rab Mu,rat Peptide AA376-394^(d) linear  9 225 Sigma E2156 Mu IgG1 h(A431) AA 294-475, conf Labvision MS-269-P neutralizing^(b,c) 10 528 Abcam ab3103 Mu IgG2a h(A431) AA 294-475, conf Santa Cruz #120 neutralizing^(b,c) Labvision MS-268-P 11 B1D8 Labvision MS-666-P Mu IgG2a h(A431) AA 294-475^(b) conf 12 LA1 Upstate 05-101 Mu IgG1 h neutralizing 13 H11 Labvision MS-316-P Mu IgG1 h AA 294-475, linear non-neutralizing^(b) 14 111.6 Labvision MS-378-P Mu IgG1 h AA 294-475, linear Imgenex IMG-80179 neutralizing^(b) 15 29.1 Sigma E2760 Mu IgG1 h(A431) External Abcam ab10414 carbohydrate non-neutralizing Abbreviations: conf: epitope conformationally specific; linear: epitope independent of conformation. ^(a)JBC 264(1989)17469 Ala351-Asp364, ^(b)J Immunological Methods 287(2004)147, ^(c)Mol Biol Med1(1983)511, ^(d)Raised against a peptide to mouse EGFR [FKGDSFTRTPPLDPRELEI (SEQ ID NO: 491)], ^(e)Int J Oncol 4(1994)277. ^(f)[EEKKVCQGTSNKLTQLGTFEDHFLSLQRMFNNCEVVLGNLEITYVQRNYDLSFLKTIQEVAGYVLIALNTVERIPLENLQIIRGNMYYENSYALAVLSNY (SEQ ID NO: 492)], ^(g)Ile-Gln-Cys-Ala-His-Tyr-Ile-Asp-Gly-Pro-His-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 493) (amino acids 580-591). ^(h)Cancer Cell 7(2005)301.

Using various approaches, we have confirmed that the EGFR monomer E3 binds to domain I of EGFR. Since other E monomers have similar properties in various experiments, it is thought that the other E monomers also bind to domain I of EGFR.

Example 19: Properties of I Monomers BIAcore Analysis of the Soluble Fibronectin-Based Scaffold Proteins

The kinetics of I monomers binding to the target was measured using BIAcore 2000 or 3000 biosensors (Pharmacia Biosensor). A capture assay was developed utilizing an IGF-IR-Fc fusion. A similar reagent had been described by Forbes et al. (Forbes et al. 2002, European J. Biochemistry, 269, 961-968). The extracellular domain of human IGF-IR (aa 1-932) was cloned into a mammalian expression vector containing the hinge and constant regions of human IgG1. Transient transfection of the plasmid produced a fusion protein, IGF-IR-Fc which was subsequently purified by Protein A chromatography and captured on Protein A immobilized on Biasensor CM5 chips by amine coupling. The kinetic analysis involved the capture of IGF-IR-Fc on Protein A followed by injection of the fibronectin-based scaffold protein in solution and regeneration of the Protein A surface by glycine pH 2.0. Sensorgrams were obtained at each concentration and were evaluated using a program Biaevaluation, BIA Evaluation 2.0 (BIAcore), to determine the rate constants k_(a) (k_(on)) and k_(d) (k_(off)) The dissociation constant, K_(D) was calculated from the ratio of rate constants k_(off)/k_(on). Typically, a concentration series (2 uM to 0 uM) of purified fibronectin-based scaffold protein was evaluated for binding to protein A captured human IGF-IR-Fc fusion protein.

For experiments determining binding to human insulin receptor, recombinant human insulin receptor (IR) and recombinant human VEGF-R2-Fc were directly coupled to a CM5 Biasensor chip by amine group linkage following standard procedures recommended by Biacore (Uppsala, Sweden). In brief, 60 ug/mL of IR diluted in acetate 4.5 was coupled/immobilized to a level of 8300 RU and 11.9 ug/mL of VEGF-R2-Fc diluted in acetate 5.0 was immobilized to a level of 9700 RU on flow cells 2 and 3. A blank reference surface was prepared on FC1. Specific binding to either IR or VEGF-R2-Fc was calculated by subtracting the binding observed to the blank reference flow cell 1. Fibronectin-based scaffold proteins were diluted to 10 uM in HBS-EP (10 mM Hepes, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.05% Surfactant P20) and injected at 20 uL/min for 3 minutes over the flow cells at 25° C. and dissociation was observed over 10 mins.

Cell-Based Receptor Blocking Assay

The human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) was plated in 24 well plates at a concentration of 50,000 cells per well in RPMI 1640 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (Hyclone, Logan, Utah). The following day, cells were washed in binding buffer consisting of RPMI 1640 containing 0.1% BSA (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), and then pre-incubated for 30 minutes on ice in 200 μL binding buffer containing IGF-IR competitor. After the pre-incubation period, 40 pM [¹²⁵I]-IGF-I (Perkin Elmer, Wellesley, Mass.), equivalent to approximately 60000 counts per minute, was added to each well and allowed to incubate for an additional three hours on ice with gentle agitation. The wells were then washed with ice cold PBS containing 0.1% BSA. Cells were lysed with 500 μL buffer consisting of 0.1% SDS+0.5 N NaOH. Radioactivity of the lysates was measured using a Wallac 1470 Gamma Counter (Perkin Elmer, Wellesley, Mass.), and the data were analyzed using SigmaPlot (Systat Software, Point Richmond, Calif.).

pIGFR Assay

Fibronectin-based scaffold proteins fused to Fc were evaluated for their ability to inhibit IGF-1R phosphorylation in Rh41 human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. A Western Blot was employed to assess the ability of the I monomer to inhibit IGF-1R phosphorylation in Rh41 human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Cells were stimulated with IGF-I, IGF-II, insulin ligands (50 ng/ml), or no stimulation (NS) and then treated with various concentrations of the I monomer. Membranes were probed with phospho-specific antibodies.

Cellular Proliferation in Rh41 (Human Rhabdomyosarcoma and H929 Human Multiple Myeloma)

Proliferation was evaluated by incorporation of [³H]-thymidine into DNA after a 72 hour exposure to reagents. Rh41 cells were plated at a density of 3500 cells/well in 96-well microtiter plates and 24 hours later they were exposed to a range of I monomer concentrations. After 72 hours incubation at 37° C., cells were pulsed with 4 μCi/ml [³H] thymidine (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, UK) for 3 hours, trypsinized, harvested onto UniFilter-96, GF/B plates (PerkinElmer, Boston, Mass.) and scintillation was measured on a TopCount NXT (Packard, Conn.). Results are expressed as an IC₅₀, which is the drug concentration required to inhibit cell proliferation by 50% to that of untreated control cells Data represents the average of triplicate wells with standard deviations shown.

Results of the characterization of the I monomer are shown below in Table 12.

TABLE 12 Properties of I monomers. IGFR Inhibition of BIAcore Neutralizes Inhibition of RH41 KD IGF Binding pIGFR Proliferation Monomer IC50 IC50 IC50 IC50 I1 0.11 nM 8 nM 0.2 nM 28 nM

Example 20: Additional Characteristics of Monospecific and Bispecific EGFR and IGF-IR ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

¹⁰Fn3-based binders that bound either EGFR or IGF-IR were identified using the biochemical selection technique of mRNA display in which a protein is covalently attached to its coding nucleic acid sequences. ¹⁰Fn3-based proteins-mRNA fusion populations that bound either IGF-IR or EGFR when the receptors were presented at concentrations from 1 to 10 nM were cloned into E. coli and expressed as ¹⁰Fn3-based proteins. A subset of target binders that blocked EGFR or IGF-IR signaling and had suitable biophysical properties were identified (Table 13). These initial clones were optimized for target binding affinity and cellular potency with additional mRNA selection at increasingly lower target concentrations and selection for lower dissociation rate constants. IC₅₀ values obtained during the selection procedures ranged from 9 to 304 nM, illustrating the opportunity for choosing molecules from a wide range of potency values for the construction of bi-specific ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were tested by In-Cell Western screening assays for the blockade of phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK, a downstream signaling molecule of EGFR activation (methods similar to Example 1). Analogous studies were performed on optimized IGF-IR binders. Optimized EGFR-binding clones (E3, E1, and E2) inhibited EGFR phosphorylation on Y1068 and downstream phosphorylation of ERK on Y204 of p42/p44 in vitro with IC₅₀ values ranging from 9 to 40 nM, potencies that were more than 100-fold higher than the parental EGFR clone (Table 13, methods similar to Example 1).

I1 bound to IGF-IR with a K_(D) value of 0.11 nM and inhibited IGF-I-stimulated IGF-IR phosphorylation with an IC₅₀ of 0.2 nM (Table 13, methods similar to Example 6). The optimized IGF-IR and EGFR single-domain ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were >95% monomeric based on size exclusion chromatography, had melting temperatures >56° C. (Table 13, methods similar to Example 4), and exhibited minimal immunogenic potential as predicted from EpiMatrix (<7 for five out of six loops), a matrix-based algorithm for T-cell epitope mapping (De Groot A S, Moise L (2007) Prediction of immunogenicity for therapeutic proteins: state of the art. Curr Opin Drug Discovery Devel 10:332-340). The ¹⁰Fn3-based binders E1, E2, and E3 were selected for further development, and had EGFR binding constants in the range of 0.7 to 10 nM as determined from Biacore assay (Table 13, methods similar to Example 5). EGFR-binding of these ¹⁰Fn3-based binders was competitive for EGF binding to EGFR (Table 13) as measured by a displacement assay using Europium labeled EGF (methods similar to Example 10). Similarly, IGF-I binding to IGF-IR was inhibited by I1 (Table 13, methods similar to Example 19).

Biophysical Characterization of Bi-Specific ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. T_(m) values of selected E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders ranged from 49-58° C. and their SEC profiles indicated the protein was >90% monomer (Table 14, methods similar to Example 4). Monospecific ¹⁰Fn3-based binders and E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders showed comparable binding affinities, although T_(m) values decreased slightly when the single domain ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were linked together (Tables 13 and 14). To increase serum half life for in vivo applications, E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were PEGylated with a 40 kDa branched PEG (methods similar to Example 3). PEGylation of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders resulted in a 10- to 20-fold reduction of binding affinity relative to the un-PEGylated constructs due to decreased association rate constants but did not decrease T_(m). Furthermore, PEGylation did not markedly reduce inhibition of EGFR/IGF-IR phosphorylation in cells. The PEGylated E-I orientation (wherein the EGFR binder is at the N terminus, and IGF1R is at the C terminus) exhibited slightly lower IC₅₀ values for the inhibition of EGFR and IGF-IR phosphorylation by ELISA compared to the I-E orientation. While minor differences in the K_(D) values and biological activity were found between PEGylated E-I orientation, vs the I-E orientation, there were no consistent trends.

TABLE 13 Properties of Monospecific ¹⁰Fn3-based binders Relevant to the Construction of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. A431 A431 EGFR IGF-IR pEGFR pERK H292 H292 Competition T_(m) SEC KD KD IC₅₀, IC₅₀, pEGFR pIGF-IR EGFR/IGF-IR Name ° C. Monomer % nM nM nM nM IC₅₀, nM IC₅₀, nM IC₅₀, nM E- 56 ND 42.5 2580 2370 1148 ± 21  ND   29 ± 12.73 parent E3 60 >80 3.4 NA 15 ± 8 11 ± 7 22 ± 1 >7000 4.75 ± 1.77 E1 64 >95 9.92 NA 24 ± 7 13 ± 3  9 ± 2 >3400 15.9 ± 2.97 E2 72 >95 0.7 NA  38 ± 15 40 ± 9 31 ± 1 >3400  9.4 ± 3.68 I- ND ND NA 1.8  ND ND ND ND 13** parent I1 61.5 >95 >6210 0.11 NA NA NA 0.2  8** ND, not done; NA, not applicable; SEC, size exclusion chromatography. *IC₅₀ values for EGFR and ERK phosphorylation levles in A431 cells were determined by In-Cell Western assay (ICW). Phosphorylation levels of EGFR and IGF-IR in H292 cells were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). **Competition for IGF-IR binding. Standard deviations are from 3-6 experiments.

TABLE 14 Properties of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. IGF- H292 A431 IR H292 pIGF-IR pERK A431 EGF-EGFR T_(m) EGFR K_(D) pEGFR IC₅₀, IC₅₀, pEGFR Competition Name ° C. K_(D) nM nM IC₅₀, nM nM nM IC₅₀, nM IC₅₀, nM E3-GS10-I1 52 0.7 0.1 7 6 12 14 25 ± 6.5  E3-GS10- 52.5 10.4 0.74 10 6 40 42 80.5 ± 12.02 I1-PEG E1-GS10-I1 48 3.8 0.8 30 1 51 36 51 E1-GS10- 49 57.9 2.4 123 4 295 297 396 ± 223  I1-PEG E2-GS10-I1 56 0.5 0.2 8 0.1 20 19 2.1 ± 0.57 E2-GS10- 57.5 10.1 1.17 32 0.3 78 77 56.5 ± 24.5  I1-PEG I1-GS10- 60 3.6 0.46 47 0.8 118 97 128 ± 4.95  E2-PEG T_(m) measurements are from thermal scanning flurometry. K_(D) values are from Biacore binding assays using recombinant EGFR or IGF-IR domains adsorbed on the chip. In-Cell Western assays (ICW) were conducted to determine the ability of EI-Tandems to inhibit the phosphorylation of EGFR or ERK in A431 cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to determine the phosphorylation of EGFR or IGF-IR in H292 cells.

Example 21: Species Cross-Reactivity of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

Pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were analyzed for their binding affinities to EGFR from mouse, rat and monkey using surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore) analysis (methods identical to Example 5). Mouse EGFR was purchased from R&D systems (Minneapolis, Minn.), rat EGFR was produced in house, and monkey EGFR was purchased from KEMP (Frederick, Md.)

As shown in Table 15, all pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders bound to mouse, rat and monkey EGFR with low nanomolar affinities indicating that all pegylated E/I binders are cross-reactive with human, mouse, rat and monkey EGFR.

TABLE 15 KD (nM) KD (nM) KD (nM) Analyte (mouse EGFR) (rat EGFR) (monkey EGFR) I1-GS10-E105 2.7 2.9 4.4 (pegylated) I1-GS10-E5 3.4 3.6 5.1 (pegylated) I1-GS10-E4 5.5 3.7 3.9 (pegylated) E4-GS10-I1 6.9 5.6 5.7 (pegylated) E2-GS10-I1 9.6 9.6 18.0 (pegylated) I1-GS10-E85 13.9 10.7 7.0 (pegylated)

Example 22: Characterization of Additional E/I ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

FIG. 43 summarizes various characteristics of additional E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders.

The pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were tested to determine inhibition of EGF induced EGFR and ERK phosphorylation in A431, using methods as previously described in Example 1. Results demonstrated that the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders inhibited EGF induced EGFR phosphorylation with IC₅₀'s ranging from 12 nM-297 nM and phosphorylation of ERK with IC₅₀'s ranging from 12 nM-295 nM (FIG. 43, columns a and b).

The ability of the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders to inhibit IGFR and EGFR activity was also examined in H292 cells using methods previously described in Examples 6 and 7. Results indicated that the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders inhibited IGFR activity with IC₅₀'s ranging from 0.2 nM-6 nM (FIG. 43, column d) and inhibited EGFR activity with IC₅₀'s ranging from 1.3 nM-123 nM (FIG. 43, columns c).

The pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were tested to determine if they could induce degradation of EGFR and IGFR in Difi cells as shown in columns e and f of FIG. 43. Cells were treated with 1 uM of pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders and harvested at time points starting at 7 hrs and ending at 120 hrs and levels of EGFR and IGF1R were determine by Western blot analysis. The strength of degradation was scored as either (+) indicating the tandem degraded that receptor but the degradation was not sustained and receptor expression reappeared during the time course or (++) which indicates the tandem degraded the receptor and sustained that degradation throughout the time course. Results (FIG. 43, column e and f) demonstrated that the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders displayed various patterns of EGFR and IGF1R degradation; degradation of only IGFR, degradation of both EGFR and IGFR or no degradation of either receptor. No tandem tested displayed the ability to degrade only EGFR.

The binding affinity of the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders for EGFR and IGF1R was assessed by surface Plasmon resonance (BIAcore) analysis as previously described in Example 5. Results demonstrated that the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders bound to EGFR with affinities ranging between 3.35 nM-57.9 nM and bound to IGF1R with affinities ranging between 0.37 nM-2.43 nM (FIG. 43, columns g and h).

The pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were tested to determine their potency for blocking EGF binding to EGFR on the surface of A431 cells using methods previously described in Example 10. The the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders blocked EGF binding to A431 cells with IC₅₀'s ranging from 19.5 nM to 238 nM (FIG. 43, column i).

The pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were assessed for their ability to inhibit colony formation of H292 cells using methods described in Example 17. As shown in FIG. 43, column j, the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders inhibited colony formation with IC50 values ranging from 1 nM-560 nM and three of the four pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders tested were 23-140 fold more potent than the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody panitumumab. The fourth pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders was 4 fold less potent than panitumuab. The pegylated I1 monomer was only marginally active in inhibiting colony formation in H292 with an IC50>15 uM and this is expected since H292 cell growth is predominantly driven by EGFR signaling and not IGF1R signaling.

The melting temperature was assessed for pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders by DSC (as previously described in Example 4) or thermal dye melt methodology. For thermal dye melt assessment, the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were diluted to 0.2 mg/mL in 50 mM NaAc buffer pH 4.5. Each sample was spiked with 1 uL of the 200× Sypro Orange in DMSO buffer for a final concentration of 0.5% dye. Each sample was loaded into the 96 well tray and coated with 5 uL of silicone oil. The tray was spun down at 1,000 RPM and loaded onto the Bio-Rad CFX96 system and the following method was selected: 25° C. for 10 minutes+Plate Read 25° C. to 95° C. @ 0.5° C. increments for 15 minutes+Plate Read. Data analysis was performed for the inflection point with the CFX software. As shown in FIG. 43, column k, all pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders had similar Tm measurements, ranging from 49-62.5 degrees Celsius. Tm measurements for the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were independent of concentration and remained consistent at all concentrations tested. DSC analysis of an exemplary binder, I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, measured with a scan range of 15-95° C. at 1 mg/ml protein concentration in PBS, resulted in a Tm measurement of 55.2° C. as shown in FIG. 20.

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was performed on the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders as previously described in Example 4. SEC analysis revealed that all of the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were >95% monomeric as shown in FIG. 43 (column l of Table).

Example 23: Biochemical and Biophysical Properties of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binder I1-GS10-E5 Pegylated with Selected Amino Acid Changes

I1-GS10-E5 pegylated was constructed without the 6HIS tag (SEQ ID NO: 487) and also with various alterations to the linker region. In addition, a global change was made to all the constructs wherein the C-terminal tail of the first monomer had a single point change of the aspartic acid to glutamic acid (D to an E). Several clones were made with selected serine residues mutated to cysteines (S to C) to provide for alternate PEGylation sites. The effect of these changes on biochemical and biophysical properties of the molecule were compared and are summarized in Table 16. Methods for measuring inhibition of pEGFR are described in Example 7, pIGFR in Example 6, pERK in Example 1, Tm in Example 4, EGFR and IGFR KD in Example 5. Detailed analysis of the binding kinetics were also carried out on these clones and are presented in Tables 17 and 18 (using methods similar to those described in Example 5).

TABLE 16 pEGFR pIGFR pERK EGFR IGFR SEC IC50 IC50 IC50 Tm KD KD % CLONE NAME (nM) (nM) (nM) (° C.) (nM) (nM) mono I1-GS10-E5 pegylated 28   2.2 12 56    2.7 0.25 96    I1-GS10-E5 pegy1ated⁽¹⁾ 30   1.2 11 56.8 Sticky⁽⁹⁾ 0.23 94.1  I1-GSGCGS8-E5⁽³⁾ 19.8 1.4  8 54.8  4   0.29 95.2  I1-GS10-E5-GSGC⁽⁴⁾ 28.7 1.2 19 55    1.4 0.25 92.7  I1(S62C)-GS10-E5⁽⁵⁾ 21   1.9 10 55.5  8.7 0.7  97.45 I1-GS10-E5(S62C)⁽⁶⁾ 68.4 2.2 30 56    1.7 0.26 96.12 I1(S91C)-GS10-E5⁽⁷⁾ 22.7 6.2 15 52   17   7.16 95.98 I1-GS10-E5(S91C)⁽⁸⁾ 22.6 2.1 29 50.5 17.9 0.28 93.39 ⁽¹⁾No His Tag was used for this construct. ⁽²⁾a global change was made to all the alternative constructs of I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, wherein the C-terminal tail of the first monomer had a single point change of aspartic acid to glutamic acid (D to an E). ⁽³⁾The I1 mononer linked with GSGC (SEQ ID NO: 489) plus GS8 (SEQ ID NO: 494), to E5. ⁽⁴⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5 with GSGC (SEQ ID NO: 489) at the tail of E5. ⁽⁵⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the I1 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 62. ⁽⁶⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the E5 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 62. ⁽⁷⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the I1 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 91. ⁽⁸⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the E5 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 91. ⁽⁹⁾This construct demonstrated non-specific binding to the flow cell so an accurate determination of affinity was not possible in this experiment.

TABLE 17 Biacore binding of altered I1-GS10-E5 Pegylated clones to EGFR645-Fc. ka kd Kd Δka Δkd ΔKd Description (1/Ms) (1/s) (nm) (fold) (fold) (fold) I1-GS10-E5 Pegylated 2.93 ± 7.24 ± 2.69 ± — — — 0.67E+04 3.14E-05  1.53 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated 2.27E+04 1.49E-04  6.6 0.8 0.5 0.4 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated⁽¹⁾ Non-specific binding to reference cell surface at higher analyte concentrations (600 nM, 200 nM prohibited kinetic value determination) ALTERNATIVE CLONES⁽²⁾ I1-GSGCGS8-E5⁽³⁾ 2.94E+04 1.18E-04  4.0 1.0 0.6 0.7 I1-GS10-E5-GSGC⁽⁴⁾ 3.34E+04 4.52E-05  1.4 1.1 1.6 2.0 I1(S62C)-GS10-E5⁽⁵⁾ 2.28E+04 1.99E-04  8.7 0.8 0.4 0.3 I1-GS10-E5(S62C)⁽⁶⁾ 1.78E+04 3.04E-05  1.7 0.6 2.4 1.6 I1(S91C)-GS10-E5⁽⁷⁾ 1.96E+04 3.34E-04 17.0 0.7 0.2 0.2 I1-GS10-E5(S91C)⁽⁸⁾ 1.08E+04 1.93E-04 17.9 0.4 0.4 0.2 ⁽¹⁾No His Tag was used for this construct. ⁽²⁾a global change was made to all the alternative constructs of I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, wherein the C-terminal tail of the first monomer had a single point change of aspartic acid to glutamic acid (D to an E). ⁽³⁾The I1 mononer linked with GSGC (SEQ ID NO: 489) plus GS8 (SEQ ID NO: 494), to E5. ⁽⁴⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5 with GSGC (SEQ ID NO: 489) at the tail of E5. ⁽⁵⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the I1 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 62. ⁽⁶⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the E5 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 62. ⁽⁷⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the I1 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 91. ⁽⁸⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the E5 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 91.

TABLE 18 Biacore binding of altered I1-GS10-E5 Pegylated clones to IGF1R-Fc. ka kd Kd Δka Δkd ΔKd Description (1/Ms) (1/s) (nm) (fold) (fold) (fold) I1-GS10-E5 pegylated 1.04 ± 2.62 ± 0.25 ± — — — 0.04E+06  0.21E-04  0.01   I1-GS10-E5 pegylated 1.10E+06  2.78E-04  0.25   1.1 0.9 1.0  I1-GS10-E5 pegylated⁽¹⁾ 1.28E+06, 2.88E-04, 0.22,  1.2 0.9 1.1  1.22E+06  2.76E-04  0.23   ALTERNATIVE CLONES⁽²⁾ I1-GSGCGS8-E5⁽³⁾ 8.52E+05  2.45E-04  0.29   0.8 1.1 0.9  I1-GS10-E5-GSGC⁽⁴⁾ 1.07E+06  2.65E-04  0.25   1.0 1.0 1.0  I1(S62C)-GS10-E5⁽⁵⁾ 3.34E+05  2.34E-04  0.70   0.3 1.1 0.4  I1-GS10-E5(S62C)⁽⁶⁾ 1.07E+06  2.79E-04  0.26   1.0 0.9 1.0  I1(S91C)-GS10-E5⁽⁷⁾ 8.22E+04  5.89E-04  7.16   0.1 0.4 0.04 I1-GS10-E5(S91C)⁽⁸⁾ 9.86E+05  2.81E-04  0.28   0.9 0.9 0.9  ⁽¹⁾No His Tag was used for this construct. ⁽²⁾a global change was made to all the alternative constructs of I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, wherein the C-terminal tail of the first monomer had a single point change of aspartic acid to glutamic acid (D to an E). ⁽³⁾The I1 mononer linked with GSGC (SEQ ID NO: 489) plus GS8 (SEQ ID NO: 494), to E5. ⁽⁴⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5 with GSGC (SEQ ID NO: 489) at the tail of E5. ⁽⁵⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the I1 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 62. ⁽⁶⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the E5 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 62. ⁽⁷⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the I1 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 91. ⁽⁸⁾I1 linked with GS10 to E5, wherein the E5 has a single point change of serine to cysteine at position 91.

Example 24: Inhibition of Shared Downstream Signaling Pathways of EGFR and IGFR

Inhibition of downstream signaling pathways were analyzed with a pAKT ELISA identical to those previously described in Example 8. Results of this study demonstrate that I1-GS10-E5 pegylated is more potent than I1 pegylated alone at blocking IGF1-stimulated AKT activation in H292 cells. E5 pegylated, the EGFR monospecific binder alone did not efficiently prevent activation of AKT by IGF1 stimulation (FIG. 21).

Example 25: Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders and Comparator Antibody

H292 and RH41 cell proliferation experiments were conducted as described in Example 9. The EGFR monospecific ¹⁰Fn3-based binder E5-pegylated inhibited proliferation of H292 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 0.016 μM. The IGFR monospecific ¹⁰Fn3-based binder I1-pegylated had an IC₅₀ value of >8.4 μM while the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder I1-GS10-E5 pegylated was slightly more potent with an IC₅₀ value of 0.006 μM (FIG. 22). The H292 cell line is of lung cancer origin and sensitive to inhibition of IGFR and EGFR ((Akashi Y, et al. (2008) Enhancement of the antitumor activity of ionising radiation by nimotuzumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody to the epidermal growth factor receptor, in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines of differing epidermal growth factor receptor status. Br. J. Cancer 98:749-755; and Buck E, et al. (2008) Feedback mechanisms promote cooperativity for small molecule inhibitors of epidermal and insulin-like growth factor receptors. Cancer Res. 68:8322-8332.)) In contrast, only the I1-GS10-E5 pegylated binder and the I1-pegylated binder inhibited the proliferation of RH41 cells (IC₅₀ values were 0.0002 and 0.0004 μM, respectively, FIG. 23). This was expected, since RH41 is a pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma cell line that is known to be driven predominantly by IGFR signaling ((Huang F, et al. (2009). The mechanisms of differential sensitivity to an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibitor (BMS-536924) and rationale for combining with EGFR/HER2 inhibitors. Cancer Res. 69:161-170)) and thus not sensitive to EGFR blockade.

Example 26: Inhibition of Receptor Activation and Downstream Signaling In Vitro by Pegylated and Non-Pegylated ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

In order to understand the dynamics of EGFR/IGFR signaling and its inhibition by I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, DiFi, H292 or BxPC3 cells were serum-starved, exposed to 1 μM or 0.1 μM E5 pegylated, I1 pegylated, or I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, or vehicle control for 2 hours, then stimulated with either EGF, IGF-I, or EGF+IGF-I for 10 min.

Cells were cultured in vitro, serum starved overnight and then exposed to ¹⁰Fn3-based binders for 2 hours prior to stimulation with 100 ng/ml of EGF or IGF. Cell lysates were prepared in lysis buffer (1% Triton X-100, 5% glycerol, 0.15 M NaCl, 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.6, Complete Protease Inhibitor Cocktail Tablets [Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.] and Phosphatase Inhibitor Cocktail 2 [Sigma-Aldrich Corp.]). Lysates (30 μg) were resolved by SDS-PAGE, transferred to membranes, and immunoblotted with antibodies to phospho-EGFR and total EGFR (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Carlsbad, Calif.), phospho-AKT (Ser 473), phospho-p44/42 MAPK (Thr202/Tyr204) (Cell Signaling Technology, Beverly, Mass.), or total actin (Chemicon International, Temecula, Calif.) in Odyssey Blocking Buffer with 0.1% Tween 20 (LI-COR Biosciences, Lincoln, Nebr.). Membranes were incubated with the appropriate secondary antibodies. Protein visualization was performed using a LI-COR Biosciences Odyssey infrared imaging system.

As shown in FIG. 24, the basal levels of phosphorylated EGFR, IGF-IR, and AKT were nearly undetectable after serum deprivation. In DiFi cells, neither I1-GS10-E5 pegylated or E5 pegylated (monospecific EGFR binder) are able to completely suppress EGF-stimulated EGFR phosphorylation. In H292 and BxPC3 cells there is strong inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation by both I1-GS10-E5 pegylated and E5 pegylated. In DiFi and BxPC3 cells, I1-GS10-E5 pegylated blocks IGF-stimulated IGFR phosphorylation more than I1 pegylated (monospeciific IGFR binder) by itself. In H292 cells, IGF-stimulation cross activates the EGFR only when EGFR is blocked. I1-GS10-E5 pegylated inhibited EGF-stimulated pAKT in DiFi; increased pAKT in EGF-stimulated H292 and in BxPC3 EGF did not activate pAKT. In DiFi, H292 and BxPC3 cells I1-GS10-E5 pegylated inhibited IGF-stimulated pIGFR more than the individual E5 pegylated and I1 pegylated by themselves. I1-GS10-E5 pegylated had very little if any effect on EGF-stimulated pERK in DiFi, H292 or BxPC3. IGF-stimulation did not induce pERK in any cell line examined.

In another experiment with unPEGylated_¹⁰Fn3-based binders, H292 cells were serum-starved, exposed to 1 μM unPEGylated monospecific EGFR binder E2, IGFR binder I1, or E2-GS10-I1, or vehicle control for 1 hour, then stimulated with either EGF, IGF-I, or EGF+IGF-I for 10 min. The basal levels of phosphorylated EGFR, IGFR, and AKT were nearly undetectable after serum deprivation (FIG. 25). Stimulation with EGF induced EGFR phosphorylation, but did not transactivate IGFR. EGFR phosphorylation was blocked by the E2, and E2-GS10-I1, but not I1. Similarly, stimulation with IGF-I induced strong phosphorylation of IGFR that was blocked by I1 and E2-GS10-I1, but not by E2. EGF stimulation only slightly increased AKT phosphorylation, but IGF-I or EGF+IGF-I strongly induced phosphorylation of AKT that was suppressed to basal levels by both I1 and E2-GS10-I1. The combination of IGF-I and EGF induced AKT phosphorylation more than either growth factor alone. E2 partially reduced pAKT induced by the combination of EGF and IGF-I. However, I1 showed the most dramatic reduction in pAKT, suggesting that stimulation with EGF+IGF-I led to strong AKT phosphorylation through the IGFR pathway. Surprisingly, blockade of the EGFR pathway by E2 followed by stimulation with EGF ligand actually increased the phosphorylation of AKT, perhaps as a result of EGFR-independent activation of AKT ((Dobashi Y, et al. (2009) EGFR-dependent and independent activation of Akt/mTOR cascade in bone and soft tissue tumors. Mod Pathol (Epub Ahead of Print)). These results illustrate the complex cross-talk between the EGFR and IGFR pathways and feed-back mechanisms.

Example 27: Competition Binding Studies with E/I ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

For Biacore competition experiments, EGFR-Fc (3 μg/mL in Na-acetate pH 5.0) was immobilized on the Biacore CM5 chip surface using standard EDC/NHS amide coupling chemistry to a surface density of 300 RU. EGFR antibodies were obtained as a marketed drug and competition between monospecific EGFR binder E2 and antibodies for binding to EGFR-Fc was assessed by binding 450 nM E2 (30 μL/min, 200 s contact time), immediately followed by 450 nM E2 alone, or a mixture of 450 nM E2 plus 450 nM cetuximab, panitumumab, or nimotuzumab (30 μL/min, 200 sec contact time). The surface was successfully regenerated between cycles using two 10 sec pulses of 50 mM NaOH at a flow rate of 30 μL/min. Initial injection of E2 shows binding to EGFR on the surface of the chip. A second injection of E2 mixed with an equal amount of cetuximab, panitumumab, or nimotuzumab shows no competition for binding of antibodies to EGFR by E2 (FIG. 26A).

Surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore) analysis was utilized to demonstrate simultaneous engagement of captured EGFR-Fc and solution phase IGF1R by E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. Recombinant human EGFR-Fc (aa 1-645 of the extracellular domain of human EGFR fused to human Fc) was purchased from R&D systems (Minneapolis, Minn.). Recombinant IGF1R (aa 1-932 of human IGF1R propeptide, proteolytically cleaved and disulfide linked) was purchased from R&D systems (Minneapolis, Minn.). To demonstrate simultaneous engagement, anti-human IgG was immobilized on flow cells 1 and 2 of a CM5 chip following the manufacturer's recommendations (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.). EGFR-Fc (50 nM) was captured on flow cell 2 at 10 uL/min for 2 minutes. Binding of E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders to EGFR-Fc was achieved by injecting ¹⁰Fn3-based protein samples (100 nM) over both flow cells at 10 uL/min for 2 minutes. Simultaneous engagement of EGFR-Fc and IGF1R was probed by subsequently injecting IGF1R (0,100 nM) over both flow cells at 30 uL/min for 2 minutes. Dissociation of the complex was monitored for 300 seconds. Two 30 second injections of 3 M MgCl₂ were used for regeneration of the bound complex from the anti-human IgG surface. Biacore T100 Evaluation Software, Version 2.0.1 (GE healthcare/Biacore) was utilized to overlay sensograms and remove airspikes. As shown in FIG. 26B, both domains of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder are functional and able to bind to EGFR-Fc and IGF1R simultaneously.

Binding specificity of E2-GS10-I1 pegylated to HER family receptors was assessed by Biacore as described in Example 5. HER-2-Fc, HER-3-Fc and HER-4-Fc (R&D Systems) was captured on the surface of the CM5 chip with anti-human IgG. E2-GS10-I1 pegylated did not show any discernible binding to other HER family members under conditions where robust binding was seen for EGFR-Fc (HER-1) (Table 19).

TABLE 19 Binding affinity of E2-GS10-I1 pegylated to extracellular domains of HER family of receptors. HER- HER- HER- EGFR- 2-Fc 3-Fc 4-Fc Fc K_(D), K_(D), K_(D), K_(D), Name nM* nM nM nM E2-GS10-I1 10.1 >1000 >1000 >1000 pegylated

Example 28: Measurement of Plasma Biomarkers

Levels of soluble biomarkers TGFα and mIGF1 were measured in mouse plasma at the end of xenograft studies or in non tumor bearing mice at various times following treatment. Blood was obtained by terminal cardiac puncture into tubes containing EDTA as an anticoagulant. Plasma was prepared by centrifuging blood at 1300×g for 10 minutes at 4 degrees C. and removing the clarified supernatant to a separate tube. TGFα levels were measured in 0.1 ml of plasma, mIGF1 levels were measured in 0.02 ml plasma with an ELISA assay as recommended by manufacturer (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). Plasma levels of TGFα were increased in mice treated with I1-GS10-E5 pegylated or the monospecific EGFR binder E5 pegylated but not cetuximab (FIG. 27A-C). The TGFα could be secreted from the human tumor or may represent endogenous mouse TGFα. Due to the high homology between human and mouse TGFα (93% amino acid identity) the ELISA may cross react with mouse TGFα. Furthermore, human TGFα secreted by the implanted tumor can bind to the mouse EGFR. Because I1-GS10-E5 pegylated and E5 pegylated can bind both human and mouse EGFR, all host and tumor EGFR binding sites are blocked by these ¹⁰Fn3-based binders while cetuximab does not bind mouse EGFR. To determine if these ¹⁰Fn3-based binders cause increases in endogenouse mouse TGFα and if the ELISA cross reacts with mouse TGFα, non-tumor bearing nude mice were dosed with I1-GS10-E5 pegylated at 100 mg/kg and plasma samples were taken at 4, 24, 48, 72 hours post dose. Increases in mouse TGFα were in fact observed that persisted out past 72 hours (FIG. 28A). Plasma samples from non-tumored mice were also tested for mIGF1 with a mouse specific ELISA and increases in this ligand were also observed (FIG. 28B).

Example 29: Results of In Vivo Human Tumor Xenograft Studies for Various E/I ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders

Several E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were evaluated in a head-to-head H292 NSCLC study (methods described in Example 12) at a lower dose than previously used so that differences in relative activity could be ascertained. Efficacy of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders E2-GS10-I1 pegylated, E4-GS10-I1 pegylated, I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, I1-GS10-E85 pegylated, I1-GS10-E4 pegylated, I1-GS10-E105 pegylated at a single dose of 0.625 mg/mouse and panitumumab at two doses (1 mg/mouse and 0.1 mg/mouse) were compared.

Both doses of panitumumab and all E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders evaluated in this study were active by a tumor growth inhibition (TGI) endpoint. During the dosing phase, E4-GS10-I1 pegylated, I1-GS10-E5 pegylated, I1-GS10-E4 pegylated and panitumumab all caused tumor regression (Table 20, TGI values greater than 100%) while E2-GS10-I1 pegylated, I1-GS10-E85 pegylated and I1-GS10-E105 pegylated caused tumor growth inhibition (Table 20, TGI values up to 100%). Differences in activity were statistically significant when compared to the control group. All treatments were well tolerated with no treatment related deaths or excessive weight loss over the course of the study. Comparison of the efficacy of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders and panitumumab are presented in Table 20 below and in FIG. 29. In FIG. 29A, measurements out to day 43 shows the pattern of regrowth of the tumors after dosing ceased. FIG. 29B shows measurements out to day 27 and the y-axis is expanded to illustrate the relative differences in activity among the treatment groups.

TABLE 20 In vivo antitumor activity in the H292 NSCLC study Schedule, Dose AVE weight p value for Outcome Group Compound Route (mg/kg) change (g) % TGI % TGI by % TGI 1 Control — — 3.36 — 1.0 — (untreated) 2 panitumumab q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a)    1 mg/mse 5.19 107 0.0023 A 3 panitumumab q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a)  0.1 mg/mse 5.9 105 0.0029 A 4 E2-GS10-I1 TIW × 3; 6 ip^(a) 0.625 mg/mse −1.4 93 0.0067 A pegylated 5 E4-GS10-I1 TIW × 3; 6 ip^(a) 0.625 mg/mse −0.23 105 0.0023 A pegylated 6 I1-GS10-E5 TIW × 3; 6 ip^(a) 0.625 mg/mse −2.92 103 0.0033 A pegylated 7 I1-GS10-E85 TIW × 3; 6 ip^(a) 0.625 mg/mse 1.08 86 0.0114 A pegylated 8 I1-GS10-E4 TIW × 3; 6 ip^(a) 0.625 mg/mse −1.21 103 0.0034 A pegylated 9 I1-GS10-E105 TIW × 3; 6 ip^(a) 0.625 mg/mse −1.54 95 0.0035 A pegylated ^(a)Vehicle was phosphate buffered saline. Abbreviations used are as follows: ip, intraperitoneal route; % TGI, relative % tumor growth inhibition calculated as % TGI = [(C_(t) − T_(t))/(C_(t) − C₀)] × 100 where C_(t) = median tumor weight of control mice at time t in days after tumor implant, T_(t) = median tumor weight of treated mice at time t, C₀ = median tumor weight of control mice at time 0. % TGI value was calculated at two points as the average inhibition of Day 20, Day 24 and Day 27. Outcome, a treatment regimen was considered active if it produced a statistically significant % TGI value of >50%; q3d × 5; 6, compound was administered every three days for six doses starting on the sixth day after tumor implant; 6 on/1 off; 6, compound was administered once a day for 6 days then no treatment for 1 day and this regimen started on the sixth day after tumor implant. p values were calculated on Day 20 relative to the control group in a two tailed paired analysis with 8 measurements per group.

Further in vivo studies were carried out with selected E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders below, in various xenograft models using the methods described in Example 12. A description of the various xenograft models is as follows: H292 is a non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and is described in more detail Example 12; MCF7r breast carcinoma is described in Example 14; and GEO colon carcinoma is described in Example 15. The DiFi human colon carcinoma expresses high levels of activated EGFR and also expresses IGFR; RH41 is a pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma cell line that is known to be driven predominantly by IGFR signaling (Huang F, et al. ((2009)) The mechanisms of differential sensitivity to an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibitor (BMS-536924) and rationale for combining with EGFR/HER2 inhibitors. Cancer Res. 69:161-170) and thus is not sensitive to EGFR blockade; Cal27 is a human head and neck carcinoma expressing high levels of EGFR and moderate levels of IGFR; BxPC3 is a human pancreatic carcinoma; and H441 is a NSCLC.

Comparison of the efficacy of selected E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders are presented in Table 21. In these efficacy studies, all of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders showed equivalent activity to panitumumab and all treatments were able to regress H292 tumors below their starting size as indicated by % TGI values over 100%. In the DiFi study, panitumumab regressed tumors at the 1 mg/mouse dose and was active at the 0.1 mg/mouse dose while all of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were inactive although the I1-GS10-E5 pegylated showed some inhibition of tumor growth (TGI=43.8%). In the RH41 study, panitumumab was not active at either dose, the E2-pegylated construct was not active while the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders and the I1-pegylated construct were all active. FIG. 32 shows antitumor efficacy in the RH41 model for a representative construct E2-GS10-I1 pegylated (data also shown in Table 22). In the Cal27 study panitumumab regressed tumors at the 1 mg/mouse dose and was active at the 0.1 mg/mouse dose but among the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders only the I1-GS10-E5 pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-construct was active.

Results of human tumor xenograft studies with I1-GS10-E5 pegylated and individual I1 and E5 components designed to assess synergy are presented in Table 22. These combination (synergy) studies were structured such that the individual pieces of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders (ie., IGFR and EGFR monospecific pegylated versions) were included so antitumor effects beyond the contribution of isolated ends could be discerned. In the MCF7r study, I1 pegylated was not active while the E5 pegylated, (E5 pegylated+I1 pegylated) and the I1-GS10-E5 pegylated clones were all active and exhibited similar activity meaning that all of the antitumor activity likely comes from inhibition of EGFR and blocking the IGFR pathway did not provide any enhancement. Cetuximab regressed tumors at the 1 mg/mouse dose and was not active at the 0.1 mg/mouse dose. BMS-754807 was also not active showing that blocking the IGFR pathway with a small molecule inhibitor did not result in efficacy in this model.

In the BxPC3 study, I1 pegylated was not active while the E5 pegylated and (E5 pegylated+I1 pegylated) clones were active (TGI=61.2% and 68.8%, respectively). The I1-GS10-E5 pegylated clone was more active (TGI=78%) than the individual pieces it is made from and the difference was statistically significant by a two tailed paired t-test showing that it has synergistic activity in this model. Cetuximab was active at all doses studied but adding in IGFR inhibition by combining it with the I1-pegylated did not result in synergy.

In the GEO study, I1 pegylated was not active while the E5 pegylated and (E5 pegylated+I1 pegylated) and I1-GS10-E5 pegylated clones were active (TGI=83.5%, 92.1 and 92.1%, respectively). While there may have been some enhancement provided by combining EGFR and IGFR inhibition together in this model, the difference was not significantly better than the E5 pegylated by itself. Cetuximab was active at both doses studied but adding in IGFR inhibition by combining it with the I1-pegylated did not result in synergy.

In the H441 study, I1 pegylated and E5 pegylated were not active on their own but (E5 pegylated+I1 pegylated) was active (TGI=54.5%). The I1-GS10-E5 pegylated clone was more active (TGI=69.2%) than the individual pieces it is made from but the differences were not statistically significant showing that it provides enhanced activity but not synergy in this model. Cetuximab was active at the 1 mg/mouse dose and was not active at the 0.1 mg/mouse dose. Adding in IGFR inhibition by combining it with the I1-pegylated did not result in any enhancement in this model.

TABLE 21 In vivo results of selected E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders Dose AVE weight p value for Outcome Group Compound Schedule (mg/kg)^(a) change (g) % TGI % TGI by % TGI In vivo antitumor activity in the H292 study 1 Control (untreated) — — 5.7 — 1.0 — 2 panitumumab Q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 1 mg/mse 5.0 104 0.0006 A 3 panitumumab Q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 0.1 mg/mse   1.5 102 0.0005 A 4 E4-GS10-I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2 mg/mse −4.86 105 0.0004 A 5 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2 mg/mse −10.0 102 0.0006 A 6 I1-GS10-E4 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2 mg/mse −1.41 105 0.0005 A In vivo antitumor activity in the DiFi study 1 Control (untreated) — — −0.5 — 1.0 — 2 panitumumab Q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 1 mg/mse 5.3 109.7 0.006 A 3 panitumumab Q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 0.1 mg/mse   2.6 99.9 0.005 A 4 E4-GS10-I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 3 mg/mse −10.8 −1.1 0.815 I 5 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 3 mg/mse −16.4 43.8 0.310 I 6 I1-GS10-E4 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 3 mg/mse −8.5 1.4 0.977 I In vivo antitumor activity in the RH41study 1 Control (untreated) — — 7.2 — 1.0 — 2 panitumumab q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 1 mg/mse 10.7 16.5 0.721 I 3 panitumumab q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 0.1 mg/mse   8.6 38.4 0.563 I 4 E4-GS10-I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2.5 mg/mse   −5.3 72.7 0.02 A 5 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2.5 mg/mse   −7.8 68 0.019 A 6 I1-GS10-E4 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2.5 mg/mse   −2.9 64.5 0.018 A 7 Control (untreated) — — 12.3 — 1.0 — 8 E2-GS10-I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 18 2.5 mg/mse   −1.8 58.6 0.044 A 9 E2-pegylated TIW × 3; 18 1.25 mg/mse   5.9 20.2 0.530 I 10 I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 18 1.25 mg/mse   7.1 58.6 0.025 A In vivo antitumor activity in the Cal27 study 1 Control (untreated) — — 9.4 — 1.0 — 2 Panitumumab q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 1 mg/mse 6.1 109.8 0.0006 A 3 panitumumab q3d × 5; 6 ip^(a) 0.1 mg/mse   5.8 72.9 0.003 A 4 E4-GS10-I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2 mg/mse −1.2 −11.4 0.587 I 5 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2 mg/mse −11.6 57.6 0.037 A 6 I1-GS10-E4 pegylated TIW × 3; 6 2 mg/mse −2.2 −9.2 0.177 I ^(a)Vehicle was phosphate buffered saline for all treatments. Abbreviations used are as follows: ip, intraperitoneal route; po, oral route; % TGI, relative % tumor growth inhibition calculated as % TGI = [(Ct − Tt)/(Ct − C0)] × 100 where Ct = median tumor weight of control mice at time t in days after tumor implant, Tt = median tumor weight of treated mice at time t, C0 = median tumor weight of control mice at time 0. % TGI value was calculated at two points as the average inhibition on Day 19 and 23 for H292, Day 39 and 41 for DiFi, Day 34 and 37 for RH41 for groups 1-6 and Day 35, 36 and 39 for groups 7-10, Day 18 and 20 for Cal27. Outcome, a treatment regimen was considered active if it produced a statistically significant % TGI value of >50%; q3d × 5; 6, compound was administered every three days for six doses starting on the sixth day after tumor implant; TIW × 3; 6, compound was administered three times a week for 3 weeks and this regimen started on the sixth day after tumor implant. p values were calculated relative to the control group in a two tailed paired analysis with 8 measurements per group on Day 23 for H292, Day 39 for DiFi, Day 37 for RH41 for groups 1-6 and Day 39 for groups 7-10 and Day 20 for Cal27.

TABLE 22 Summary of in vivo experiments with ¹⁰Fn3-based binders and comparators Dose AVE weight p value for Outcome Group Compound Schedule (mg/kg)^(a) change (g) % TGI % TGI by % TGI In vivo antitumor activity in the MCF7r study 1 Control (untreated) — — 6.1 — 1.0 — 2 I1 pegylated^(a) TIW × 3; 7   50 mg/kg, ip 17.1 −40.8 0.195 I 3 E5 pegylated^(a) TIW × 3; 7   50 mg/kg, ip 5.1 75.8 0.007 A 4 E5 pegylated^(a) + I1 pegylated^(a) TIW × 3; 7   50 mg/kg, ip −3.0 81.8 <0.0001 A 5 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated^(a) TIW × 3; 7  100 mg/kg, ip −4.5 78 0.009 A 6 cetuximab^(a) Q3D × 5; 7   1 mg/mse, ip 11.7 105.4 0.0009 A 7 cetuximab^(a) Q3D × 5; 7  0.1 mg/mse, ip 7.5 34.3 0.031 I 8 BMS-754807^(b) QDX14; 7   50 mg/kg, po −4.0 44.5 0.146 I In vivo antitumor activity in the BxPC3 study 1 Control (untreated) — — 3.1 — 1.0 — 2 I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip 4.3 14.3 0.315 I 3 E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip −5.3 61.2 0.0003 A 4 E5 pegylated + I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip −4.9 68.8 0.0019 A 5 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 9  100 mg/kg, ip −14.0 78.0 0.0002 A 6 cetuximab Q3D × 5; 9   1 mg/mse, ip 5.2 62.6 0.0026 A 7 cetuximab Q3D × 5; 9 0.25 mg/mse, ip 2.5 62.8 0.0005 A 8 cetuximab + Q3D × 5; 9   1 mg/mse, ip 3.6 62.1 0.0005 A I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip In vivo antitumor activity in the GEO study 1 Control (untreated) — — 7.5 — 1.0 — 2 I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip −7.2 26.8 0.594 I 3 E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip 9.7 83.5 0.0028 A 4 E5 pegylated + I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip 5.4 92.1 0.0005 A 5 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 9  100 mg/kg, ip −7.3 92.1 0.0006 A 6 cetuximab Q3D × 5; 9   1 mg/mse, ip 7.7 91.8 0.0008 A 7 cetuximab Q3D × 5; 9 0.25 mg/mse, ip 7.8 92.0 0.0007 A 8 cetuximab + Q3D × 5; 9   1 mg/mse, ip 7.1 91.3 0.0006 A I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip In vivo antitumor activity in the H441 study 1 Control (untreated) — — 12.4 — 1.0 — 2 I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip 11.5 30.8 0.701 I 3 E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip −8.8 43.1 0.292 I 4 E5 pegyalted + I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip −0.8 54.5 0.011 A 5 I1-GS10-E5 pegylated TIW × 3; 9  100 mg/kg, ip −3.9 69.2 0.022 A 6 cetuximab Q3D × 5; 9   1 mg/mse, ip 12.6 65.2 0.002 A 7 cetuximab Q3D × 5; 9 0.25 mg/mse, ip 13.7 43.9 0.110 I 8 cetuximab + Q3D × 5; 9   1 mg/mse, ip 10.2 66.7 0.060 I I1 pegylated TIW × 3; 9   50 mg/kg, ip ^(a)Vehicle was phosphate buffered saline for all treatments. Abbreviations used are as follows: ip, intraperitoneal route; po, oral route; % TGI, relative % tumor growth inhibition calculated as % TGI = [(Ct − Tt)/(Ct − C0)] × 100 where Ct = median tumor weight of control mice at time t in days after tumor implant, Tt = median tumor weight of treated mice at time t, C0 = median tumor weight of control mice at time 0. % TGI value was calculated at two points as the average inhibition on Day 22 and 26 for MCF7r, Day 23 and 27 for BxPC3, Day 29 and 31 for GEO and Day 17 and for H441. Outcome, a treatment regimen was considered active if it produced a statistically significant % TGI value of >50%; q3d × 5; 6, compound was administered every three days for six doses starting on the sixth day after tumor implant; TIW × 3; 6, compound was administered three times a week for 3 weeks and this regimen started on the sixth day after tumor implant. p values were calculated relative to the control group in a two tailed paired analysis with 8 measurements per group on Day 26 for MCF7r, Day 27 for BxPC3, Day 29 for GEO and Day17 for H441.

Example 30: Pharmacokinetic Profile of Various E/I ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders in Mice

The pharmacokinetic profiles of the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder, E2-GS10-I1, were assessed in mice via intraperitoneal injection. Three nude mice per dose group were dosed with E2-GS10-I1, formulated in PBS, at 10 and 100 mg/kg, ip and plasma samples were collected in citrate phosphate dextrose solution at pre dosing, 0.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, and 168 hours post dosing. Plasma samples were assessed for pegylated E2-GS10-I1 Fn3-based binder levels using a quantitative electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay developed to detect and quantitate the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder in plasma samples. In this assay, a mouse monoclonal antibody with specificity toward the EGFR binding region was adsorbed to Meso Scale Discovery plates overnight at 4° C. to allow capture of the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder in the plasma samples. The plasma samples were added to the plates and incubated at 22° C. for 1 h. The captured pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder was detected by a rabbit polyclonal antibody specific to the scaffold region of the E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binder, mixed with a goat anti-rabbit antibody linked with a SULFO-TAG. Following a wash to remove unbound SULFO-TAG reagent, a read buffer was added and ECL detection was used. The level of pegylated E2-GS10-I1 in plasma samples was calculated based on comparison to a 4-parameter fit of a standard curve of the pegylated E2-GS10-I1 Fn3-based binder.

Mice administered 10 or 100 mg/kg interperitoneally (ip) of pegylated E2-GS10-I1 resulted in peak levels of approximately 200 and 1700 μg/mL, respectively, indicating dose-proportional pharmacokinetics (FIG. 30). Pharmacokinetic parameters for FIG. 30 were calculated in a similar fashion to those described in the paragraph below (note that “T ½” is interchangeable with “HL_lambda_z” and AUC is interchangeable with “AUCINF_obs”. The half-life of pegylated E2-GS10-I1 in mice was 15.75±1.52 h (FIG. 30). Based on these pharmacokinetic parameters, administration of 100 mg/kg three times weekly (TIW) in human tumor xenograft studies was able to maintain drug levels 10- to 100-fold higher than the in vitro IC50 value.

Additional pharmacokinetic experiments were conducted on several pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders, where mice were administered 10 or 100 mg/kg interperitoneally (ip) and, for the pegylated I1-GS10-E5, 10 or 64 mg/kg sub-cutaneously (sc), plasma was collected and analyzed as described above to measure the levels of pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders. The pharmacokinetic parameters of these various E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were obtained by non-compartmental analysis of plasma (serum) concentration vs. time data. WinNonlin software (version 5.1, Pharsight Corp. Mountain View Calif.) was used to calculate the terminal half-life (HL_lambda_z), maximum observed concentration (Cmax), the area under the curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUCINF_obs), clearance (CL_F_obs), volume of distribution based on the terminal phase (Vz_F_obs) and the mean residence time extrapolated to infinity (MRTINF_obs). Results showed that the half life for the pegylated E/I ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were between 12.1-20.9 hours, as shown in FIG. 44 and FIG. 31.

Example 31: Pharmacodynamics

Samples were taken from the H292 and the DiFi xenograft models described in Table 21 at the end of the study and processed as outlined under Measurement of pharmacodynamic endpoints in tumors in Example 12 for analysis of total levels of EGFR and IGFR protein and phosphorylated EGFR and IGFR. Target effects of I1-GS10-E5-pegylated and panitumumab were evaluated by immunoblotting as described in Example 11. In FIG. 33A, levels of total EGFR, pEGFR and total IGFR were lower in I1-GS10-E5-pegylated treated tumors than in untreated tumors at the end of the DiFi xenograft model. In FIG. 33B, levels of pEGFR were lower in tumors treated with panitumumab and I1-GS10-E5-pegylated. Levels of total EGFR were lower only in I1-GS10-E5-pegylated treated tumors but not in panitumumab treated tumors. Levels of total IGFR were lower in both I1-GS10-E5-pegylated treated tumors and in one panitumumab treated tumor but not the other. The amount of pIGFR in these models was too low to detect differences following treatment. Immunoblots were probed with GAPDH to demonstrate equal loading of protein.

Example 32: EGFR ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders Optimization and Consensus Sequence Analysis

The ¹⁰Fn3-based binder 679F09 (as described in PCT WO 2009/102421) (FIG. 34) was identified as a binder to EGFR ectodomain-Fc fusion protein (R&D Systems). Binding activity was selected using a bead coated with EGFR-Fc and ¹⁰Fn3-based binders coupled to their nucleic acid coding sequence (see e.g., Xu et al., Directed Evolution of High-Affinity Antibody Mimics Using MRNA Display, Chem. Biol. 9: 933-942 (2002)). More potent variants of the parental EGFR binder 679F09 having alterations to the amino acid sequences in the BC, DE and FG loops were also identified.

Sequence Analysis I: All ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders Selected for High-Affinity Binding to EGFR

In order to reveal sequence patterns that defined strong affinity for EGFR, all unique EGFR binding sequences (1044) were analyzed using several methods. First, the sequences were analyzed by the frequency of amino acids at each position in the loops (FIGS. 35-38). Only unique sequences for each loop were analyzed.

From the above sequence analysis, the following broad sequence motif was defined:

Sequence Motif #1

-   -   (a) BC loop: “YQ” in positions 7-8 (i.e., corresponding to         positions 29 and 30 of SEQ ID NO: 1)     -   (b) DE loop: aliphatic residue (“V/I/L/M/A”) in position 3         (i.e., corresponding to position 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1)     -   (c) FG loop: “D/N” in position 1 (i.e., corresponding to         position 77 of SEQ ID NO: 1)

All 1044 sequences analyzed, except one, follow the FG loop sequence pattern (c). Of all unique sequences analyzed, 90% follow pattern (a) for the BC loop, and 95% follow pattern (b) for the DE loop. All sequences analyzed, except four, follow at least two of the three patterns above. In addition, the 15-amino acid FG loop length is a noteworthy sequence feature.

In addition to the broad Sequence Motif #1 defined above, the data in FIGS. 35-38 were used to define a second sequence motif based on the dominant residues at each position. Residues were included in this motif if the sum of the top 3 most frequent amino acids had a greater than 50% frequency.

Sequence Motif #2

-   -   (a) BC loop: XXXXXXYQ (same as Motif #1), wherein X is any amino         acid     -   (b) DE loop: (G/Y/H)(D/M/G)(V/L/I)X, wherein X is any amino acid     -   (c) FG loop, 10 amino acid length:         (D/N)(Y/M)(Y/A/M)(Y/H/F)(K/Q/V)(E/P/R)(Y/T/K)X(E/Y/Q)(Y/G/H),         wherein X is any amino acid     -   (d) FG loop, 15 amino acid length:         D(Y/F/W)(Y/F/K)(N/D/P)(P/H/L)(A/T/V)(T/D/S)(H/Y/G)(E/P/V)(Y/H)(T/K/I)(Y/F)(H/N/Q)(T/Q/E)(T/S/I)

The analysis methods used to define Sequence Motifs #1 and #2 evaluate each residue position within a loop separately. To reveal any sequence motifs spanning multiple residues within a loop, the ¹⁰Fn3-based binders were subjected to further analysis. In this analysis, the loop sequences were aligned using ClustalW (Thompson J D et al. CLUSTAL W: improving the sensitivity of progressive multiple sequence alignment through sequence weighting, position-specific gap penalties and weight matrix choice. Nucleic Acids Research 22: 4673-4680, 1994). From this alignment, families of sequences were grouped using manual inspection. For the BC and DE loops, sequence patterns similar to Sequence Motifs #1 and #2 were observed. However, additional sequence motifs could be defined for the 10 and 15 amino acid long FG loops.

Sequence Motif #3

-   -   (a) FG loop, 10 amino acid length         -   (1) DY(A/Y)GKPYXEY (SEQ ID NO: 473), wherein X is any amino             acid         -   (2) DY(A/Y)Y(K/R/Q/T)PYXEY (SEQ ID NO: 474), wherein X is             any amino acid         -   (3) (D/N)Y(A/Y)(Y/F)(K/R/Q/T)EYXE(Y/H) (SEQ ID NO: 475),             wherein X is any amino acid         -   (4) DYY(H/Y)X(R/K)X(E/T)YX (SEQ ID NO: 476), wherein X is             any amino acid         -   (5) DYY(H/Y)(K/H/Q)(R/K)T(E/T)Y(G/P) (SEQ ID NO: 477)         -   (6) (D/N)MMHV(E/D)YXEY (SEQ ID NO: 478), wherein X is any             amino acid         -   (7) DYMHXXYXEY (SEQ ID NO: 479) (like FG loop of 679F09),             wherein X is any amino acid         -   (8) D(M/Y)YHX(K/R)X(V/I/L/M)YG (SEQ ID NO: 480), wherein X             is any amino acid     -   (b) FG loop, 15 amino acid length         -   (1) D(Y/F)(Y/F)NPXTHEYXYXXX (SEQ ID NO: 481), wherein X is             any amino acid         -   (2) D(Y/F)(Y/F)D(P/L)X(T/S)HXYXYXXX (SEQ ID NO: 482),             wherein X is any amino acid         -   (3) D(Y/F)(K/R)PHXDGPH(T/I)YXE(S/Y) (SEQ ID NO: 483),             wherein X is any amino acid

Sequence Analysis II: ¹⁰Fn3-Based Binders Showing More Potent Inhibition of EGFR Phosphorylation

Another overall sequence analysis was performed on the subset of ¹⁰Fn3-based binders that showed the most potent activity in a cell-based assay (as opposed to Sequence Analysis I, which was performed on all binders selected for high-affinity binding to EGFR through Profusion). Because many of the binders were only run through single-point cell-based assays, binders that showed greater than 75% inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation at a fixed concentration of 100 nM were included in this analysis. The percent inhibition at a given concentration is related to the IC₅₀ by: % inhibition=100×concentration/(concentration+IC₅₀).

Normally, an IC₅₀ is calculated by fitting the data for % inhibition at various concentrations. However, given that only a single data point is available for each binder, it is inappropriate to use this single data point to calculate an IC₅₀. Therefore, the percent inhibition of EGFR signaling at a single concentration point was used as an approximation of the potency of the binder. Although a binder may show 75% inhibition at a concentration of 100 nM, increasing the concentration will allow the clone to show 100% inhibition at a higher concentration. The % inhibition is inversely related to the IC₅₀; i.e., the higher the % inhibition, the lower the IC₅₀ and the more potent the binder. If a binder showed 75% inhibition at a concentration of 100 nM, we considered this to be a “potent” binder for the purposes of Sequence Analysis II. However, the binders which showed less than 75% inhibition at 100 nM concentration for the most part still bind to EGFR and still have an effect on EGFR signaling. For instance, the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab (Friedlander E et al. ErbB-directed immunotherapy: antibodies in current practice and promising new agents. Immunol Lett 116: 126-140, 2008) is currently under development as a therapeutic, but it shows <5% inhibition at a 100 nM concentration in the EGFR phosphorylation assay (data not shown). The sequences of all “potent” binders assayed and their % inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation at 100 nM concentration is shown in FIG. 45.

The total number of unique ¹⁰Fn3-based binders that showed >75% inhibition at 100 nM concentration was 111. As before, the sequences first were analyzed by the frequency of amino acids at each position in the loops (FIGS. 39-42). Since these binders are a subset of all the binders selected for high affinity binding to EGFR during Profusion, they also follow Sequence Motif #1 (see above). All “potent” sequences analyzed follow the FG loop sequence pattern (“DIN” in position 1). Of all unique “potent” sequences analyzed, 93% follow the pattern for the BC loop (“YQ” in positions 7-8), and 98% follow the pattern for the DE loop (aliphatic residue (“V/I/L/M/A”) in position 3). All “potent” sequences analyzed follow at least two of the three patterns of Sequence Motif #1.

Of note, the 15-amino acid FG loop length also appears to be highly represented in the most “potent” binders. While 15-amino acid long FG loops represent only 55% of all binders selected for high affinity binding to EGFR (Sequence Analysis I), 15-amino acid FG loops represent 86% of the binders with >50% inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation at 100 nM concentration, and 91% of the binders with >75% inhibition (“potent” binders in Sequence Analysis II). Therefore, the longer 15-amino acid FG loop appears to be a sequence pattern associated with greater potency.

Of the 111 “potent” sequences analyzed, only 10 contain 10-amino acid long FG loops, and 6 of those are unique. Therefore, a single sequence motif can encompass every “potent” 10-amino acid FG loop sequence. Sequence Motif #4 was defined based on these 6 sequences.

Sequence Motif #4

-   -   FG loop, 10-amino acid length, “potent” binders     -   (D/N)(M/Y)(M/A/W)(H/F/Y)(V/K)EY(A/Q/R/S/T)E(Y/H/D)

The sequence analysis of the “potent” binders with 15-amino acid FG loops also further illuminated which residue positions were most conserved, allowing Sequence Motif #5 to be defined. An “X” in this sequence motif denotes positions where there are no three dominant amino acids.

Sequence Motif #5

-   -   FG loop, 15-amino acid length, “potent” binders     -   D(Y/F/W)(Y/F/K)(N/P/D)(P/H/L)X(T/D/S)(H/G/Y)(E/P/Y)(Y/H)XYXXX,         wherein X is any amino acid

All of the EGFR binders that were analyzed are progeny of the parent 679F09 and constitute a sequence “family,” i.e. they are all related in sequence according to the aforementioned sequence motifs. Various members of the 679F09 family of binders can tolerate a T511 scaffold mutation and retain binding activity. Therefore, a T511 scaffold mutation could be combined with any of the aforementioned sequence motifs to also yield a binder with high affinity binding to EGFR.

Finally, it should be noted that amino acids with similar properties can often be substituted into protein sequences with little or no effect on structure or function. This indeed is the case for ¹⁰Fn3-based binders as well, where conservative amino acid substitutions in either the loop or scaffold regions can still lead to binders which bind to EGFR. For instance, substituting “Y” for “H” in the second position of the FG loop of binder E98 yields binder E99, and both binders show similar potency in inhibiting EGFR phosphorylation (FIG. 45). 

1-41. (canceled)
 42. A nucleic acid encoding a protein comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM, wherein the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(g)WAPVDRYQX_(h) (SEQ ID NO: 137), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(i)RDVYX_(j) (SEQ ID NO: 138), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(k)DYKPHADGPHTYHESX_(l)(SEQ ID NO: 139); and wherein X is any amino acid and g, h, i, j, k, and l are integers independently selected from 0 to
 5. 43. A nucleic acid encoding a protein comprising a tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3) that binds EGFR with a K_(D) of less than 500 nM, wherein the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 21-30 of SEQ ID NO: 112, a DE loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 51-56 of SEQ ID NO: 112, and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence set forth in amino acids 76-92 of SEQ ID NO:
 112. 44. The nucleic acid of claim 42, wherein the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWWAPVDRYQ (SEQ ID NO: 115), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PRDVYT (SEQ ID NO: 116), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TDYKPHADGPHTYHESP (SEQ ID NO: 117).
 45. The nucleic acid of claim 42, wherein the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 domain comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:
 112. 46. The nucleic acid of claim 42, wherein the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 domain comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:
 112. 47. The nucleic acid of claim 42, wherein the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 domain comprises an amino acid sequence at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO:
 112. 48. The nucleic acid of claim 42, wherein the EGFR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 112-114.
 49. A nucleic acid encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 112. 50. The nucleic acid of claim 42, wherein the protein comprises a second tenth fibronectin type III domain (¹⁰Fn3).
 51. The nucleic acid of claim 50, wherein the second ¹⁰Fn3 binds to IGF-IR.
 52. The nucleic acid of claim 51, wherein the IGFIR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence X_(a)SARLKVAX_(b) (SEQ ID NO: 46), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence X_(c)KNVYX_(d) (SEQ ID NO: 48), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence X_(e)RFRDYQX_(f) (SEQ ID NO: 50), wherein X is any amino acid and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, and l are integers independently selected from 0 to
 5. 53. The nucleic acid of claim 51, wherein the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises a BC loop having the amino acid sequence SWSARLKVAR (SEQ ID NO: 45), a DE loop having the amino acid sequence PKNVYT (SEQ ID NO: 47), and an FG loop having the amino acid sequence TRFRDYQP (SEQ ID NO: 49).
 54. The nucleic acid of claim 51, wherein the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:
 3. 55. The nucleic acid of claim 51, wherein the IGF-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 56. The nucleic acid of claim 51, wherein the EFGR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112, and the IGFR-IR binding ¹⁰Fn3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 57. The nucleic acid of claim 51, wherein the nucleic acid encodes a protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 126-132.
 58. The nucleic acid of claim 51, wherein the protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:
 130. 59. The nucleic acid of claim 58, wherein the protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 130. 60. A vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 42. 61. A host cell comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 42. 